Santiago-Pontones
Santiago-Pontones is made up of two population centres that were once independent towns; Santiago de la Espada and Pontones. Both are situated within the Sierra de Cazorla, Segura and Las Villas Natural Park, a fact that explains the interest that this municipality holds for those who enjoy rural tourism. It has about 2800 inhabitants.
HISTORY
In the Cueva del Nacimiento in Fuente Segura (Pontones), one of the oldest human settlements in the province is documented. In 9250 BC a kinship community existed in this place. This first phase of settlement is superimposed on another in the Neolithic, which due to the ceramic material and lithic industry found, has been dated to the middle of the sixth millennium BC. A later phase belongs to the “Río Frío” shelter, which houses a collective tomb that has been dated between the end of the third millennium and second millennium BC. During the Iberian period this area was under the aegis of the great Iberian centre of Toya (Peal de Becerro). The cave paintings of Las Cuevas del Engarbo I and II are worth highlighting, along with those of the Río Frío Shelter and the Cañada de la Cruz Shelter, all included in the complex of Rock Art of the Spanish Mediterranean Arc in the World Heritage list carried out by UNESCO in Kyoto on December 2, 1998. More>
THINGS TO SEE
Iglesia de Santiago Apóstol
Its most characteristic cultural asset is the parish church of Santiago Apóstol, dedicated to the Order of Santiago. The church was built on an old hermitage in the sixteenth century with influences from the late Levantine Gothic period. On the outside, the robust square tower stands out covered by hipped Arab tiles, with holes for bells on its sides and a clock. Its reconstruction became necessary in 1763, the date from which the altarpiece, the most valuable artistic element of the temple, dates from. The main altarpiece is in the Baroque style and was never gilded. It has a single floor with three sections and an attic with powerful and slender Solomonic columns - four in the lower part and two in the attic. In the centre of the floor, occupying half of its extension, there is a contemporary altar and, higher up, a niche to house the manifesto. In the attic, the iconography of Santiago Matamoros presides and stands out in a rectangular frame, crowning the work with plant decoration with the cross of the Order of Santiago in the centre. Located on Calle Juan Jose Martinez.
Ayuntamiento
The Town Hall was built in the second half of the twentieth century with a slightly oblong shape, it is structured in two bodies with a large arch with false voussoirs at the door. In the upper body, a large continuous balcony protects three linteled and fenced openings. The building is topped by a body flanked by thin pyramids that display the municipality’s coat of arms. Located in Plaza de la Constitución.
Escultura del Sagrado Corazón
On the esplanade of the church, an allegorical sculpture of the Sacred Heart of Jesus is elevated on successive square bases that decrease as they progress in height. There is no shortage of arches, columns and classical pilasters. Located on Calle Cuesta Iglesia.
NATURAL AREAS
Sierras de Cazorla, Segura y Las Villas
Sierras de Cazorla, Segura y Las Villas
With a total surface area of 209,920Ha 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 Jaen 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.
Recognising its exceptional ecological importance, it was designated a UNESCO biosphere reserve in 1983 and it was deemed a natural park in 1989. First impressions of the park may consist of barren rocky crests and vast pine forests, 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 being found in the Sierra de Cazorla Natural Park. It is also home to 51 species of mammals, 185 birds, 21 reptiles (including an endemic lizard), 12 amphibians, 11 fish and one of the highest number of butterfly species in the Iberian peninsula, with 112 varieties found here.
Banderillas
A summit of almost 2,000m of altitude (1,993 m) from which you can see beautiful panoramic views of the Cazorla, Segura and Las Villas Natural Park. The presence of wild boar in the area stands out. Located southwest of Santiago de la Espada, in the mountain range of the same name, in the heart of the Cazorla, Segura and Las Villas Natural Park.
Nacimiento del Río Segura
A recreational area located at 1,400 m altitude, next to the source of the Segura River. Located west of Santiago de la Espada, in the heart of the Cazorla, Segura and Las Natural Park.
Pino Galapán
A large black pine tree thought to be more than 400 years old. It is situated next to the Juan Fría stream, on the border with the municipality of Segura de la Sierra. It stands out for its height and thickness, requiring four adults to surround its trunk. Located southwest of Santiago de la Espada, very close to Don Domingo.
Salto de los Órganos
Next to the source of the Borosa River, the Los Órganos power plant presents a beautiful landscape that contains all the typical elements of the Cazorla, Segura and Las Villas Natural Park. The geological environment stands out, made up of calcareous formations of unusual shapes that create grottoes and caves of great beauty. Located southwest of Santiago de la Espada, next to the source of the Borosa River.
HANDICRAFTS
This mountain region guards and treasures a rich tradition in the crafts of embroidery, strongly influenced by the Levantine area, showing in these lands its own peculiarities and riches, with a large production of garments and belongings for domestic use and personal wear. The base fabrics were the magnificent cloths made in the large number of looms and fulling mills scattered throughout farmhouses and villages.
The wool-based cloths and clothes were dyed in the brightest colours - yellow, red, pink, green, purple and white - with natural procedures. The tradition of embroidery, inherited from Arab populations, is executed with “strambre”, the best wool, which is spun, twisted and dyed, with mainly floral motifs: flowers, buds, leaves and stems, along with animal elements such as birds and insects.
Most embroidery is done by drawing with plain stitches, cording, stem stitching, backstitching and blanket stitching. We also find canvas or double canvas techniques and appliqué or embroidery, with fine fabrics cut with skill and neatness, which results in beautiful chromatic effects. We find a rich tradition of embroidery, especially in trousseau garments. This is how garments such as the shawl, scarves, petticoats, skirts and doublets, stockings and mantillas are embroidered, while domestic garments are also the object of these embellishments: cloths to cover chests, tables and curtains.
Even today we can see a large number of these traditional garments kept in chests as one of the best generational treasures. Currently, these garments continue to be embroidered, although the use of materials is adapted to the production of new raw materials of wool and embroidery threads. In Pontones, wood is also worked by hand, specifically for the manufacture of furniture.
COUNTRYSIDE WALKS
There are several hiking routes in the area for hikers to explore. They include Ruta Santiago-Pino Galapán, Ruta Pinar Negro-Aguas Negras, Ruta Camino de Riverte-Venta Ticiano and Paisajes del término de Santiago-Pontones.
GASTRONOMY
Visitors to Santiago-Pontones can try traditional dishes such as ajo arriero (mashed potato), ajo crecido (mashed potato with pepper), ajo de pan con bacalao (potatoes sauteed with cod), andrajos con liebre (pasta stew, often made rabbit), arroz con habichuelas (rice with beans), conejo con cebolla (rabbit stewed with onions), and lomo con orégano (roast pork with oregano). Sweet treats include arroz con miel (orange flavoured rice pudding), buñuelos (profiteroles), calabaza dulce (pumpkin pudding) and huevos con miel (french toast with honey).
BUS SERVICE
There are bus services from Santiago-Pontones to Jaén. More>
FESTIVALS
Popular festivals in Santiago-Pontones are Fiestas de Santa Quiteria. Santiago de la Espada, Fiestas Patronales de Pontones, Fiestas Patronales de Santiago de la Espada and Feria Ganadera de Pontones. More>
WEATHER FORECAST
The weather forecast for the next few days for Santiago-Pontones. More>
TOURIST OFFICE
The tourist office of Santiago-Pontones is located in the Town Hall. More>
NEARBY PLACES
The neighbouring villages to Santiago-Pontones are Hornos and Pozo Alcón.