With a total surface area of 209,920 hectares and covering almost a fifth of Jaén province, this is Spain’s largest protected area and one of its most extensive forested zones. Located in eastern Jaén province, it connects the Sierra Morena and the Subbética mountain ranges. The highest peak in this immense park is Pico Empanada at 2,107m and the entire park is higher than 600m. Recognizing its exceptional ecological importance, it was designated a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 1983 and created a natural park in 1989. Barren rocky crests and vast pine forests will strike visitors’ first impressions, but the area’s botanical importance within Andalusia is matched only by the Sierra Nevada, with a fifth of the vascular plants in the Iberian Peninsula found in the Sierra de Cazorla Natural Park.

This forest house is the ideal starting point for walking routes through the Natural Park and discovering the Sierra de Las Villas in depth.

The chapel dates to 1511 and is cited among the hermitages belonging to the Archpriesthood of Iznatoraf. It has a single nave and lacks architectural value, due to the numerous reforms that it has undergone. Located 3km from the town centre, in a place popularly known as “Cerrico Pelón”, off the J-6220.

The fountain has seven spouts, with various water pressures. The four spouts on the left lead from the Moscoso orchard, from where it is channelled under the even-numbered houses of Calle Prado, and the three pipes on the right are supplied from the upper part of Calle Mina. Its central location makes this square a point of reference and orientation for locals. The successive remodelling of the square eliminated another fountain that once served as a watering hole for animals. Even so, it retains elements worth mentioning, such as the large mansions that surround the square and the traditional public laundry area. There is almost no season of the year in which the square does not become the scene of celebrations and events.

The Renaissance church was built on the site of a former temple by Alonso de Barba, a favourite disciple of Andrés de Vandelvira. The chancel was carved by the master stonemason Sebastián de Solis, and the work was completed in 1582. The design consists of a single nave, covered with a pair and knuckle wood frame, according to Mudejar tradition. The most outstanding feature is the main chapel, with a rectangular base, which is accessed by a staircase and grand pair of semicircular arches with large carved allegorical figures of Fe and Caridad, and voussoirs and geometric decoration characteristic of Alonso Barb. The coat of arms of Bishop Francisco Delgado presides over the central headwall. Outside, the nave is covered with a wide gabled roof and the entrance to the church is through a simple doorway on a staircase with a semicircular arch lined with imposts and a small frieze with an inscription dated 1582. The belltower is also noteworthy, designed by Andrés de Vandelvira. The carving of Santa Águeda dates from the sixteenth century. Located on Calle Reyes Católicos.

The tower was built in 886 by order of General Hashim ben Abd al-Aziz. Archives reference the existence of an old Arab castle in the town, built in the middle of the ninth century to fortify the left bank of the Guadalquivir River and to serve as an outpost for the Iznatoraf fortress in its defense of the pass over the river, but the vestiges that have survived to this day show a clear Christian construction, of which only one tower has been preserved. According to Manuel de Góngora, who studied the archeology of the province of Jaén, it was built on a the site of a Roman fortress. Located on Calle Eras.

Popular festivals in Sorihuela del Guadalimar are Festividad de Santa Águeda Virgen y Mártir, Festividad de San Isidro and Romería de Santa Quiteria Virgen y Mártir.

The area of Navas de San Juan was occupied as early as the middle of the 2nd millennium BC, as evidenced by the settlements of Castellón and La Atalaya.

Sorihuela de Guadalimar is part of the Sierras de Cazorla, Segura y las Villas Natural Park. Its landscape is dominated by olive groves, cereal fields, and orchards. It has about 1,000 inhabitants.

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.

The tourist office of Sorihuela de Guadalimar is located in the Town Hall.

There are various bus services from Sorihuela de Guadalimar to Jaén, Úbeda, Granada, Emp. Beas de Segura, Linares, Bailén, Villacarrillo and Villanueva del Arzobispo using the company, Alsa.