The municipality of Torredonjimeno is located to the southwest of the province of Jaén, 17 km. to the west of the provincial capital.
It is not administratively included in the Sierra Sur region, but is considered a bridge head towards the countryside and therefore initiator of another route. However his history and art are so linked to the rest, always by the common denominator of the Order of Calatrava.
Torredonjimeno is an olive town with a certain industrial development. It is characterized by the development of agricultural activity, where olive trees constitute 97% of the cultivated land.
The industry is on the rise in recent years. On the outskirts of Torredonjimeno is the industrial polygon "Mirabueno," where most industries are located: workshops, upholstery, textile fibres... There are companies dedicated to the construction, highlighting the crafts of metal, the forge and especially a factory of casting of bells, which has been in existence since 1881, being the only one in Andalusia following traditional artisanal techniques and performing works that in many cases go beyond the national level, to be exported to other continents.
It is quite linked to the capital by its closeness and excellent road communications.
This city offers us corners, monuments and places, culminating in a city centre full of attractions.
Is part of
The declaration of Historical set It is justified in 2005 by the presence of several monumental buildings in the old town, as well as by the medieval route.
We highlight the following monuments:
Civil architecture:
Religious architecture:
The first extension of the temple is in 1671, consisting of a chapel next to the presbytery for the Most Holy. The second enlargement, in the first third of the 18th century, is dedicated to Our Lady of the Dolores. It is worth noting the Camarín, which is accessed from the sacristy. Declared B.I.C. with the type of Monument in 2010 (BOJA 9 / 11 / 2010. p. 50).
The municipal term of Torredonjimeno has a surface area of 157, 68 km ²and is at an average altitude of 587 m. over sea level.
The municipal term is characterized by the abundance of hills and a shortage of very flat areas. The altitude of the term varies between 300 m from the lowest areas to the west to 800 m in the south-east, being a transition area between the Sierra Sur and the Campiña.
Although there are no notable geographical accidents, there are many natural spaces and attractions who will make the delights of lovers of nature. It is these places that make nature in this municipality a real sign of identity.
The indigenous vegetation corresponding to the term is made up of oats, a small forest with different species such as lentils, retama, zarzas, rosemary, madroño and thorn.
The fauna the species that have been able to adapt to these lands without almost forest area: sedentary birds, jellyfish, greens, partridges. Migratory birds coming from the African continent, such as the tortola, the cuckoo, the swallow and the victor, who come to these lands to feed and reproduce. They also abound in the Tusrian rabbit field, hares and all kinds of rodent animals.
We highlight the following areas:
The the geographical location of Torredonjimeno, located in an area of fertile land and in a crossing of roads that links the lands of Jaén with the Cordobese countryside, has allowed the presence of human communities throughout history.
The oldest data retract us to the existence of an Iberian population called Cosiria (hence the Gentile applied to the inhabitants of Torredonjimeno, of "the Syrians").
After Roman conquest, joined to Martos gets the rating of a colony with the name Augusta Gemina.There is little news about the Spanish-Muslim stage. To highlight inclusion as part of Martos.
In 1224 he became part of the Spanish crown, and years later Fernando III would grant this entire territory of the countryside to the Military Order of Calatrava, so that it would repopulate and defend it as a border until well advanced in the 15th century.
This border condition will determine the lifting of a good number of watchmen to defend the territory: Tower of the Foncada, Tower of the Alcázar and the existing one in Venzala
From this time it is born its current name which refers to the existence of a military enclave (Tower) and the name of one of its first warlords, D. Ximene of the Raya.
Around 1369, in the middle of the border in the area, Torredonjimeno, already has a walled enclosure that defended the whole city.
By 1526, when the Emperor Charles I went to Seville to marry Isabel of Portugal, he stayed in the palace of Gonzalo de Villalta.
The Year 1558 will be decisive for the history of Torredonjimeno, as, this year, the Princess Joan of Austria, governor of the kingdoms of the Monarchy in the absence of Philip II, grants independence to the villa, definitely taking her away from the dependence of Martos.
The 15th century will be a stage of expansion and prosperity. However, the XVII will know the bad crops, epidemics, hunger, the fall of the population... Despite this, in 1637, the construction of one of the most beautiful buildings is started: the City Council.
In 18th century, it starts a recovery in the style of the new illustrated society promoted by Charles III. During these years, cultivated areas are growing, and olive trees will replace other arable crops in many places.
The years of drought and poor crops, as well as the periods of war and emigration to industrial cities, meant that people were lost in these localities.
In year 2005is declared by the Council of Culture of the Junta de Andalucía, Good of Cultural Interest in the category of Historical set, in recognition of the historical and urban values of the city.
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