Jaen - Sierra de Cazorla
Between the Spanish heartland (Castile) and the
Moorish part of Andalusia there is the province of Jaén,
located on the former route of caravans of the Arabs. The buildings
of the Renaissance-architect Andrés de Vandelvira, the
beauty of its landscape and its excellent gastronomy convert this
interior province into a small paradise far away from mass tourism.
Worth seeing besides Jaén, the capital of the province
with its Renaissance cathedral, are Baeza and Úbeda, also
towns with many Renaissance and Gothic. Close to these there is
the Sierra de Cazorla, Segura und Las Villas, the largest Natural
Park of the Iberian peninsula, where the Guadalquivir and the
Segura rivers source. The most important village of the natural
park is Cazorla, but also are worth visiting La Iruela, Hornos
and Segura de la Sierra.
Itinerary
From the province capital Jaén to Baeza, Úbeda and
Cazorla and finally reaching the Natural Park of Sierra de Cazorla,
Segura y las Villas.
Distance
approx.200 kilometers / 130 miles, therefrom half of it inside
the park. There are several possible excursions.
Jaén (Miles 0; 115,650 inhabitants)
The capital of the province. Worth seeing are the Arab Baths and
the Renaissance Cathedral.
Baeza (Miles 28; 15,100 inhabitants)
and
Úbeda (Miles 33; 33,350 inhabitants)
They are, apart from the capital, the most important populations
of the province. Many Gothic and Renaissance buildings.
Cazorla (Miles 60; 8,150 inhabitants)
regional centre, situated between the castles La Yedra and Cinco
Esquinas Ruins of the Santa María church and a fountain
Fuente de las Cadenas. Town hall and the church of San Francisco
from the 17th century.
La Iruela (Miles 62; 1,850 inhabitants)
on the highest point of the village (views!!) there are remains
of an important castle. In the center of the village there is
the Renaissance church Santa Domingo
Vadillo Castril (Miles 72;)
crossing of several highways. Excursion to the Parador Hotel (5
Miles), to the spring of the Guadalquivir river (approx. 13 Miles)
or to the animal park Nava de San Pedro (10 Miles)
Torre de Vinagre (Miles 83; visitor’s
and information centre)
on the main road of the natural park. Nearby there is a fishfarm
(troutfarm)
Collado del Almendral (Miles 92)
animal park close to Bujaraiza, located on the southern edge of
the water reservoir Tranco de Beas. Animal watching is possible.
Tranco (Miles 99;)
beautiful set on the highest point of the water reservoir Tranco
de Beas in the middle of the Sierra de Segura
Hornos (Miles 109; 700 inhabitants)
picturesque village with the ruins of a Moorish castle. Good views
of the water reservoir and over the Guadalquivir valley. Excursion
to Santiago-Pontones (approx. 18 Miles) with the cueva del nacimiento
(archaeological findings)
Segura de la Sierra (Miles
123; 1,950 inhabitants)
one of the most beautiful villages of the Sierra. Good views from
the Mudéjar style castle to the Sierra de Segura and the
Sierra Morena.
There are several ways of leaving the natural park.
In the north: La Puerta de Segura or Siles
In the west: Beas de Segura or Villanueva del Arzobispo
In the east: Santiago-Pontones
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