Arroyo del Ojanco
Arroyo del Ojanco belonged to the municipality of Beas de Segura until 2001 when the segregationist movements that began in 1950 bore fruit. It is situated within the Cazorla, Segura y las Villas Natural Park in mountainous terrain bathed by the Guadalmena and Guadalimar rivers, and the stream that gives it its name. It has about 2500 inhabitants.
History
The word “ojanco” refers to a person with only one eye, resembling something similar to the description of a Cyclops (the most famous of them was Polyphemus) and jáncano or ojáncano, of which these mythological beings are known in northern Spain, specifically in the Cantabrian mountains. Also in embryology, a science dedicated to studying human embryos and foetuses, it is known as a foetal monster with atrophy of the nasal septum and one eye. Professor Reverté Coma, a world authority in forensic medicine, had one in his laboratory, born in a town in Castilla in the 1930s of the last century, it died a few hours after being born. More>
Things to see
Centro de Interpretación de la Cultura Romana
The aim of the centre is to publicise the historical culture of the municipality, in this case, its Roman culture, whose most representative element is found in the site of the Villa Romana de Los Baños. The Interpretation Center is a large space designed and built imitating the style of Roman constructions, where influences of the Roman Empire in Arroyo del Ojanco are discussed, including findings, urbanism, agriculture, etc. It has two rooms and a central patio where, through reproductions, panels and projections, the visitor is informed about Roman cultural legacy in the area, as well as the value of the archaeological sites. Located on Calle Bolea.
Opening Times:
Wednesday-Sunday, 11:00-13:00hrs and 16:00-18:00hrs.
Tel: 695 99 24 81
Iglesia de la Inmaculada Concepción
The church dates to the beginning of the last century, although it was restored in the mid-1950s. On the main altar are the two patron saints of the town, San Francisco and La Inmaculada, and on one side, exists a carving of the Holy Family. It has a ceramic altarpiece on its façade with the Image of La Inmaculada. Located on Calle Carretera.
Things to see outside the town
Villa Romana de los Baños
The Los Baños farmhouse is where a large Roman villa is located. The site sits within an olive grove and it was the subject of a significant excavation, the results of which demonstrated the existence of other historical cultures, the Chalcolithic and the early Bronze Age, although the most significant is that corresponding to a Roman villa oriented around agriculture. The development of the villa began around the second half of the first century AD, judging by the existence of some Roman ceramics of the terra sigillata type. Subsequently, a restoration took place with the construction of new buildings and new pavements. Lastly, a third phase from a historical point of view is called Baños III, which lasted until the fourth century, and to which correspond the structures of a large villa with extraordinary mosaics which suggest a settlement with a marked agricultural character.
Cementerio
In the past, because there was no cemetery in Arroyo del Ojanco, all the deceased were taken to be buried in the next town, Beas de Segura, to which Arroyo del Ojanco belonged at that time. Years later, in the 1920s, the cemetery in the town was built. There was no specific place for autopsies to be carried out on corpses, so they were done in the cemetery itself wherever they could. Located north of the town.
Natural Areas
Oliva de Fuentebuena (The largest olive tree in the world)
The ancient olive tree of Fuentebuena, declared a Natural Monument by the Junta de Andalucía, is one of the symbols of Arroyo del Ojanco. It is a privileged vestige that has withstood so many generations between north winds and gales, between harsh winter ice and extenuating dry summers. What characterises this great tree are its dimensions. It is said that around the year 1800, this thousand-year-old olive tree yielded, by itself, an olive production of 850kg, a Guinness book record. Legend claims that it was planted by mendicant friars after the re-conquest, ensuring that they did not lack the olive oil required for their Holy Oils. Others believe that it sprang from a blessed branch on Palm Sunday and planted the following Easter Monday of an unknown year.
Gastronomy
Visitors to Arroyo del Ojanco can try traditional dishes such as potaje de Semana Santa (meat stew), migas (friend breadcrumbs served with pork), encebollado (fish stew) and lomo en adobo (marinated pork loin). Sweet treats include bollos de aceite (olive oil sponge cake), flor de lis (sweet pastries in flower shapes), arroz de leche (rice pudding), roscos fritos (doughnuts) and torrijas (eggy bread).
Bus Service
There are bus services from Arroyo del Ojanco to Granada, Siles, La Puerta de Segura, Jaén, Córdoba and Úbeda. More>
Festivals
Popular festivals in Arroyo del Ojanco are Las Luminarias, Fiestas del Toro, Aniversario de la Constitución, Feria and Fiesta Patronales. More>
Weather Forecast
The weather forecast for the next few days for Arroyo del Ojanco. More>
Tourist Office
The tourist office of Arroyo del Ojanco is located in the Town Hall. More>
Nearby Places
The neighbouring villages to Arroyo del Ojanco are Puente de Génave and Beas de Segura.