Interpretation Centre of Los Villares. Almazaras oleoturísticas
Museums and Visitor Centers
Los Villares
Tourist Office
Ayuntamiento
Plaza de Fernando Feijoo, 1
Description
Municipality located north-east of Sierra Sur region, very close to Jaén capital. This circumstance, coupled with the abundance of water in this area and the soft weather of the summer, makes it an ideal place for the summer season to rest.
The town is located in a vaguada near the confluence of the Eliche and Frio rivers, that along with multiple streams go through its municipal term and supply the Quebrajano swamp, an interesting place from an environmental point of view. Its geographical location makes you enjoy great beauty.
The economy of the municipality is based mainly on the cultivation of the dry olive tree, Wicker craftsmanship is the second source of income. We should also mention the production of sausages, the craft of the spartum and other vegetables and, in recent years, the packaging of mineral water at the birth of the Cold River.
Among its historical-artistic heritage is the Church of St. John the Baptist of the 15th century, the Capital houses of the City Council, opened in 1775, and the Vizcount Palace.
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Culture
From its historical-artistic heritage, we highlight:
- Parish Church of Saint John the Baptist. In the first half of the 16th century the original temple was built, very small, and in the 18th century it was necessary to expand and reform it, but again in the 19th century some remodeling was necessary. In the Spanish Civil War, the parish was seized and dismantled, losing the small but interesting movable heritage. In general terms it retains its primitive typical provision of mannerist architecture. It consists of a single ship with small furnaces on its walls, a short cruise covered with a half-orange dome, a side chapel and chorus at the foot of the temple. The main facade is very simple. Contains a reduced but select collection of goldsmiths.
- Casa del Vizconde or Casa Grande, As the villariegos call it. It's the most remarkable building in town. A solarium house that follows the Spanish rural Renaissance models and the high Andalusia. The facades made in excellent shillery. On the main door the traditional signor balcony and crowning the façade the usual sun open in eight half-point arches, crowned by an elegant alley. The main courtyard organized by the building, the lordory staircase covered with a vault, and some wooden-carved meds and zapatas, are also preserved.
- City Hall House. They are built in the 18th century. The architectural lines are very simple and severe, based on the guidelines given to it by the Royal Academy of Fine Arts of San Fernando. The building was opened in 1775 and has recently been rehabilitated by preserving its early 19th-century air.
Nature
The whole term of Los Villares is framed in the context of what is known geographically as Subbetic Sierra.
Geomorphologically the territory is composed of a succession of crest and valleys of different magnitude, The urban core is located in a large depression, which is flanked by the Sierra de Jabalcuz to the north, the Sierra de la Pandera to the south, the Cerro del Wind to the west, and the Cimbras to the east.
The large number of rails and temporary streams that originate in the higher areas converge into two main rivers: Eliche River and the Cold River. Both are born in the term of Los Villares.
The two converge outside the municipal term, leaving Los Villares for the known area of Los Cañones, on the border with the municipal term of Jaén.
The vegetation has undergone a profound transformation throughout history: most of the territory is currently dedicated to the cultivation of the olive tree in a dry form. The original vegetation corresponded to oak trees, riverbank forests in the surroundings of rivers, bushes and mountain pastures in the highest and most rocky areas.
At present, although there are not many places where the original vegetation, some examples can be seen:
- Encinars and costomals in the high areas of Jabalcuz.
- Sea forest on the Eliche River and the Cold River.
- Encinar and complain in the area of El Espinar and in the area of Puerto Viejo.
The fauna is mostly made up of animals of medium or small size. The large vertebrate fauna associated with forests and bushes is currently very little due to the agricultural transformation and persecution of many species. The great Iberian mammals: the bear, the wolf and the lince... disappeared. Other species of great natural value such as Royal eagle or the royal owl They still have some couples.
In addition to invertebrates, small fauna is particularly interesting. Instructive birds, for the ecological role they play. Birds like Look at him, the zorzal, the red-haired, the curled... They play a very important role in the control of insects that can become plagues of the olive tree.
- Water birth in Riofro. It is a recreational area, fully equipped, where you can enjoy the typical coastal ecosystem, characterized by the abundance of water and the presence of numerous and varied species of plants and birds. It is reached by the road in the direction of Valdepeñas de Jaén, from which we turn left, after going about 5.5 Km., on a road that leads to this enclave.
- Port of the Hoya.Where it is still possible to find a small grotto with stalactites and stalagmites just a few kilometers from the village. This part of the Sierra is a surprise for the lush vegetation on the other side of the Air Port.
- The Cimbras and the lock.
- The Jabalcuz summit (1,614 m.s.n.m.): From where the three morphological units that constitute the province of Jaén are seen. At the bottom in the North Sierra Morena; at our feet the Guadalquivir valley and the countryside; and the ground on which we step is the first formation of the Betic Sierras. The summit is easily accessible in the East (Carretera de Los Villares a Jaén) or in the West from Torredelcampo. These two accesses can be done by bike through a lane.
Parties and Events
In addition to the celebration of the Christmas parties, the Carnivals and the Holy Week in Los Villares, these parties are held:
- Celebrations in honor of Our Lady of the Rosary, patron of Los Villares since 1781.They are held between 6 and 10 October. On the 6th there is a show of carrozas, prepared by the neighbors who parade through the main streets of the village. The most important day, "Fat Day," It's day 7. This day a procession with the patron walks the streets of the town centre. During these days, cultural activities, sports competitions, dance competitions and lively night greens take place.
- Festivals of San Juan. The parties take place between June 23 and 26. Neighbors set the streets of the appropriate neighborhood that year. On the 23rd, the eve of San Juan, the traditional fire is organized around which the neighbors gather to drink, eat and have fun. The next day, on the 24th day of San Juan, the procession that runs through the streets of the verbena is held and in the end the image will be housed in one of the houses of the neighborhood.
- The Sunday following the verbena is held traditional Romeria with the image of San Juan that will be taken to his hermitage in Cerro Viejo. The villariegos move to the hermitage of San Juan where they will spend a country day.
Gastronomy
Of the most typical dishes in the town, we will quote:
- Atascaburra, is a saladilla of cooked potatoes, bacalus, tomato, onion, garlic, hard eggs and tuna.
- Pipirrana villariega, crushed garlic, green peppers, mature and peeled tomato, half a glass of olive zome and salt.
- Choto de Los Villares.
From the confectionery we quote: Sweet Goat Pates (made with cream and biscuit), Home Alfajor (sugar and almonds), Higo bread (mass of dried figs with almonds).
History
Before the foundation of Los Villares, as we know it today, there are signs that make us think that in this place the Iberian, Roman, Arab and other prehistoric civilizations passed through, given the remains found in the municipal term. Some of these remains, coins, jewels, pieces, utensils... are found in the Archaeological Museum of Jaén.
The Villars, as we now know it, was founded in the framework of the policy of repopulation of the border areas with the Kingdom of Granada by the Crown of Castile, in order to protect and defend the roads.
In 1508, Jaén Council, request to Queen Doña Juana, repopulation of several places in terms and saws within the jurisdiction.
By Real Cédula, the queen has everything necessary to establish these populations and at the same time refers to the need to protect these places and their properties so that they can be inhabited. As an area with water, they had gardens and bread mills.
The foundation was not immediate. The town began its journey in 1538, after the distribution of land and the route of the city. In Los Villares, as in the rest of repopulated cores, a hipodamic colonial urbanism inherited from the Roman baskets was introduced.
Your first inhabitants were farmers of the city of Jaen and also soldiers of the Emperor's guard.
By the mid-18th century, its population had increased and, in addition to the farms, it had achieved artisanal, livestock and commercial development. In the 19th century it has an important production of cereals, fruit, vine and olive, this being the most prominent, also livestock farming. Its industries are notable, it has several flour mills and oil plus two pottery.
In this municipality
8
Accommodations
4
Restaurants
2
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