SORIHUELA DEL GUADALIMAR
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.
HISTORY
In Medieval times, the settlement was termed Sorigüela, a name with numerous suggested origins. One of these relates it to the inheritance (hijuela) given to a nun (sor). Another attributes the name to some Christian Knights who settled here after the Battle of Las Navas, naming the community after their hometown, Sorihuela in the province of Salamanca. It could even be a derivative of Soria, where many shepherds who came to the Kingdom of Jaén in the fifteenth century came from. The second part of its name, del Guadalimar, was added at the beginning of the twentieth century, precisely to differentiate both Sorihuelas. More>
THINGS TO SEE
Torreón Árabe (Torre del Homenaje)
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.(Location)
Iglesia Parroquial de Santa Águeda
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.(Location)
Plaza de los Caños
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.(Location)
Hotels in Sorihuela de Guadalimar
Book Hotels in Sorihuela de Guadalimar
THINGS TO SEE OUTSIDE THE TOWN
Ermita de Santa Quiteria
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.(Location)
Hoya los Trevejiles
This forest house is the ideal starting point for walking routes through the Natural Park and discovering the Sierra de Las Villas in depth.(Location)
Sierras de Cazorla, Segura y Las Villas Natural Park
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.(Location)
BUS SERVICE
There are various bus services from Sorihuela del Guadalimar. More>
GASTRONOMY
When visiting Sorihuela del Guadalimar, try local dishes such as guiso de la novia (translating literally as “the bride’s stew”, made with meatballs and traditionally served at weddings), ensalada gitana (tomato, pepper and onion salad), huevos a la porreta (scrambled eggs with jamón and chorizo) and pipirrana de las Cuatros Villas (potato and pepper salad).
FESTIVALS
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. More>
WEATHER FOARECAST
The weather forecast for the next few days for Sorihuela de Guadalimar. More>
TOURIST OFFICE
The tourist office of Sorihuela de Guadalimar is located in the Town Hall. More>
NEARBY PLACES
The neighbouring villages to Sorihuela de Guadalimar are Castellar, Chiclana de Seguraand Villanueva del Arzobispo.