The rugged Sierra Mágina Natural Park covers 19,900ha of rocky, steep limestone terrain, with precipitous cliffs and high summits that are often snow-capped in winter. Evocatively named by the Moors as the mountain of the spirits, the Sierra has a fascinating history glimpsed in its prehistoric cave paintings and defensive architecture built by warring Christians and Muslims. In the 10th century it harboured Moorish rebel leaders and much later, bandits. Its remote corners also provided a refuge for bears, wolves and the pardel lynx.

Cabalgata Reyes Magos, The Three Kings procession is celebrated on the evening of 5th January.

Jimena has a rich prehistoric legacy visible in the Cueva de la Graja cave paintings, which attest to the shepherds that populated the Sierras Meridionales between the fourth and third millennium BC. There are numerous historic settlements that demonstrate how the area was subsequently populated, especially Cerro Alcalá, an important reference for the prehistoric, ancient and medieval heritage of the town. 

Duration: 45 min. Length: 1470 m. Difficulty: Medium. The route and can be accessed by the “Cordel del Gollizno” cattle route that starts from the vicinity of the Ermita de Cánava.

The Pinar de Cánava is a forest that forms part of the Sierra Mágina Natural Park. Of its 120 specimens of pine, the Aleppo pine dominates. The forest is renowned for the longevity of its trees, with many between 100 and 250 years old. As well as being of great scientific and educational value (demonstrating the pine lifecycle), the forest is an important habitat for species such as the wood pigeon and Bonelli’s eagle. The forest also offers visitors beautiful panoramic views of the Sierra Mágina, the Campiña de Jaén olive grove and various towns including Jimena, Torres and Albanchez de Mágina. Declared an Andalusian Natural Monument.

The chapel of Nuestra Señora de los Remedios sits on the road to Albanchez, at the foot of the mountains. Nestled between palm trees and a fountain, it is a small temple with a cross-shaped floor plan, built in 1910. Located southeast of the town, on the J-3105.

These important cave paintings were discovered in 1902, and comprise seven groups of figures painted in red hues. They are attributed to the Neolithic period, around the third millennium BC. The figures are human representations in the “brazos en asa” style, along with abstract animal figures such as bulls, goats and horses, as well as symbols which are difficult to interpret. A scene of grazing animals highlights the functional importance of animals to the prehistoric community, whilst other animal figures suggest a link between fauna and the divine. Declared a National Historic Monument in 1924 and now an Asset of Cultural Interest. Located on Calle Audiencia.

The imposing Torre del Homenaje is part of the Castillo de Jimena, which was built by the Arabs as a defensive fortress in the tenth century. After it was conquered by Fernando III in 1234, the castle became part of the city of Baeza and later passed into the hands of the Nasrids. In 1457, the castle was handed over to the Order of Calatrava, who reformed its defenses and adapted it into a manor house, eventually becoming the property of the Marquises of Camarasa. The tower itself was Declared an Asset of Cultural Interest in 1985: the painted frescoes inside have largely deteriorated, and only parts of a naval scene are still visible today. Located in Plaza de la Constitución.

This church is named after the day of festivities which took place when Fernando III won Jimena from the Arabs in 1234. The church was built in the Gothic style, with features like pointed arches, offset by a Renaissance, semicircular entranceway. The church has undergone various restorations, and the current roof, three golden altarpieces, carving of the Virgen del Rosario and square tower all date from 1960. Located on Calle Audiencia.

Located on the fringes of the Sierra Mágina Natural Park, this centuries-old woodland of Aleppo pine trees (pinus halepensis) is one of the best preserved of its kind in Andalucia. The trees, aged between 100 and 250 years, are home to a rich variety of birds.

The tourist office of Jimena is located in the Town Hall.

If you are considering visiting this town you will be interested to check the latest weather forecast for the next few days from the table below.

There is a bus services from Jimena to Jaén with Muñoz Amezcua.