Higuera de Calatrava

Nature

Higuera de Calatrava is one of the towns that make up the Jaén countryside. Its landscape is characterised by a succession of low, rolling hills covered in olive groves. The vegetation found today is not the original one. The original holm oak woodland and scrubland have gradually been cleared and replaced by olive groves or cereal crops. Most farming is rainfed. The predominant vegetation is therefore typical of the Campiña: olive trees and riparian vegetation along the Salado stream, including willows, reeds, poplars, white poplars and tamarisks, among others. 

The predominant wildlife consists of small game species: rabbits, hares, partridges, quail, foxes and badgers. Birds of prey include the Montagu's harrier in spring and summer and the hen harrier in winter, as well as the kestrel and the peregrine falcon, rare elsewhere on the Iberian Peninsula but easy to spot in the olive groves. Amphibians and reptiles are favoured by the variety of habitats provided by the Salado stream, including geckos, snakes and the false smooth snake. We should also mention the insectivorous birds that act as natural pest control for the olive groves: hoopoes, warblers, tits and nightingales are some of the birds in this group.

Parties and Events

The following festivals are celebrated in the town: 

• Festivities in honour of the patron saints San Sebastián and San Roque. This town, which witnessed the defeat of the Granadan Moors by the troops of King John II of Castile in 1431, holds its patron saint festivities in honour of San Roque and San Sebastián on the days before and after 16 August, with sporting, cultural and recreational activities. Until four decades ago, the patron saint festivities were held in September, but they were moved to August so that those who had emigrated could take part, with 16 August, the feast of San Roque, being the most important day. Notable events include the religious celebration and the traditional offering known as "Los Pesos" (the weighings). Fireworks, competitions, concerts, games and open-air dances are all part of the festivities. 
• Romería de San Isidro. Held on 15 May, this pilgrimage has been celebrated since the mid-20th century. On this day, the patron saint of farmers is carried to his hermitage, located in the area known as "Fuente Palacios". A very interesting tradition is that of the Hermanos mayor, mediano y chico (senior, middle and junior brothers), through which the annual stewardship responsible for organising the pilgrimage is passed on.
• Feast of the Patron Saint: the Immaculate Conception. Celebrated on 8 December.

Gastronomy

The cuisine of Higuera de Calatrava is part of the traditional cuisine of the Campiña, closely tied to agricultural work: 

• Cocido de segador (harvester's stew). Made simply with chickpeas, potatoes and a little lard, reflecting the hardships of earlier times. 
• Morcón de Navidad (Christmas morcón). The pig's largest gut is stuffed with spices and hard-boiled eggs, then cooked in a pot together with chickpeas and fresh meat. 
• Salt cod stews, eaten during Holy Week, accompanied by a popular dessert, manta de bizcocho (sponge cake "blanket"). 
• Flour-based migas, served with pork crackling. 
• Bread migas. 
• Sour gazpacho with vinegar and garlic, enjoyed in hot weather. 
• Rabbit with fried tomato sauce. Fried tomato sauce has long been an important ingredient in local cuisine, and can also be served with morcilla (blood sausage) or pork crackling.

History

In the municipal area of Higuera de Calatrava, remains have been found indicating human settlement in this area since the Neolithic period. From a later phase is the settlement of La Atayuela, located on a hill, with remains of fortified structures showing evidence of a hierarchical society. 

The Second Punic War led to these lands, then occupied by the Iberians, being covered with watchtowers, one of which stood on the hill of El Castellard. 

During the period of Roman control, there was significant occupation of the area by farming estates of the villa type, including Cerrillo del Eco, Cortijo de los Antojos and El Calvo. 

The origins of its current settlement date back to the Islamic period, when it would have been a small hamlet, unrecorded until shortly after the Castilian conquest, when it appears as a hamlet of Martos, and thus part of the Encomienda held by the Order of Calatrava. 

Like the rest of the Order's possessions, it had a castle, of which the Keep, or Torreón, still stands. According to popular tradition, this castle played a role in the bloody battle fought between King John II of Castile and the King of Granada in 1431. 

In 1600, it was declared a "villa" and changed its name from Higuera de Martos to Higuera de Calatrava, as it still belonged to the Order. 

From this point on, Higuera de Calatrava lived without major upheaval until the Civil War. During the conflict, the municipality at times lay on the front line between the two opposing sides, causing serious damage to its infrastructure, which meant the Directorate for Devastated Regions had to practically rebuild it once the war ended.