CAMPILLO DE ARENAS
Campillo de Arenas is a small municipality surrounded by beautiful natural enclaves such as the Sierra de Campillo, which can be enjoyed by hiking, mountain biking or car. Some of its highlights include the Monasterio ravine, the Alberquilla viewpoint and the Quiebrajano reservoir. It has around 2,000 inhabitants.
HISTORY
Campillo de Arenas was inhabited in prehistoric times, as evidenced by the numerous Paleolithic and Neolithic remains discovered in parts of the town, including schematic cave paintings. An Argaric settlement unearthed in Puerta de Arenas when the new tunnel was being built also attests to Bronze Age presence in the area. More>
THINGS TO SEE
Ermita de Nuestra Señora de la Cabeza
The chapel dates from the middle of the eighteenth century, according to the Cadastre of the Marqués de la Ensenada. The numerous religious offerings that are preserved in the sacristy of the hermitage, as well as the embossed silver lamp dedicated to the Virgin, from the year 1741, are proof of the local fervour for the Virgin. In 1956 and 1975, the dressing room was redesigned. In 1991, the chapel was restored and the dressing room underwent a third restoration. Located on Calle Carril de la Ermita.(Location)
Iglesia Parroquial de Nuestra Señora de la Encarnación
Construction of the church began in 1579. The project was carried out by Don Manuel Sancho Sánchez, a master stonemason, and Don Benito el Santo. In 1618, the main altarpiece was built, but it was later destroyed in the Spanish Civil War. Its style was somewhere between Renaissance and Baroque, decorated with elements typical of the period. The presbytery was completed on its side walls, with two large oil paintings. The organ was placed in the choir in the middle of the eighteenth century and the bells were installed in 1858. In 1906, a clock with Roman numerals was installed on the façade of the tower facing the main square, paid for by the council. In the 1980s, this machinery was removed and replaced with an electronic device; in 1996, the original clock was restored and donated to the Town Hall, where it is currently on display in the Salón de Plenos. The church and Town Hall are both located in Plaza de Andalucía.
(Location)
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THINGS TO SEE OUTSIDE THE TOWN
Castillo de Arenas
Situated 1393m above sea level, the castle sits on the Cerro del Castillo de Puerta Arenas, in the Sierra de Alta Coloma, between Granada and Jaén. The Portillo del Río Campillo is the only practicable pass to cross this Sierra. The castle stands on an L-shaped ridge, whose ends are two promontories defended by cuts in the terrain. Today, the castle is in a ruinous state. Located north of the town, off the JV-2228. (Location)
Ermita de Santa Lucía
This chapel was built using alms collected from devotees who passed through Puerta de Arenas and stopped to pray before the saint. This worship was initially carried out towards a painting of the saint placed against the rock walls, until a proper image was established in a small niche in 1840. Once enough donations had been collected, the first chapel was built in 1858. The blessing was attended by the local authorities and more than 2,000 devotees from all over the region. The chapel deteriorated over time and required numerous restorations. At the end of the 1990s, the Puerta de Arenas recreational area was built, offering bird watching, a botanical garden, hiking and a picnic spot. Located north of the town, off the N-323A.(Location)
NATURAL AREAS
Desfiladero de Puerta Arenas
The gorge sits on the border of Campillo, Cárcheles and Cambil. Caused by fluvial erosion, the limestone wall is approximately 400m high. Between the 1970s and 80s, the construction of the Bailen-Motril highway transformed the area of Puerta de Arenas, opening a new tunnel in the rock as well as a bridge over the river. This modified the landscape and offered improved communication routes. Visitors can also find a recreational area which allows for bird watching and hiking and features a botanical garden and picnic area. (Location)
BUS SERVICE
There is a bus service from Campillo de Arenas to Jaén, Madrid, Granada, Málaga, Noalejo, Carchelejo and Punta Arenas. More>
GASTRONOMY
When visiting Campillo de Arenas, try local dishes such as conejo al ajillo (rabbit cooked in garlic), potaje de habichuelas con garbanzos (bean and chickpea stew), bacalao encebollado (cod stewed in onions), albóndigas de bacalao (cod meatballs) and lomo al ajillo (garlic pork). Sweet treats include roscos fritos (doughnuts), nochebuenos (fruit bread) and mantecados gusanillos (lard almond cakes)..
FESTIVALS
Popular festivals in Campillo de Arenas are San Antón, La Candelaría, Romería de Santa Lucía, Fiesta de los Cigarrones and Fiesta de Moros y Cristianos. More>
WEATHER FOARECAST
The weather forecast for the next few days for Campillo de Arenas. More>
TOURIST OFFICE
The tourist office of Campillo de Arenas is located in the Town Hall. More>
NEARBY PLACES
The neighbouring villages to Campillo de Arenas are Noalejo and Pegalajar.