The province of Jaén was for centuries frontier between the Muslim and Christian kingdoms. The medieval struggles gave birth to the construction of a network of fortresses, which are unique in Europe. In fact, in Jaén there rise some of the most impressive castles in Spain, whose supremacy decayed as the Christian troops conquered the Andalusi kingdoms. This route runs along fortresses on high hills, such as the Fortaleza de la Mota in Alcalá la Real, the Castillo de Santa Catalina in Jaén or the Castillo de Burgalimar, one of the oldest in Europe, from the Caliphate epoch, in Baños de la Encina. This route also commemorates the three battles that changed history in Spain: the Batle of Baécula (208 BC), the Battle of Navas de Tolosa (1212) and the Battle of Bailén (1808). The Castles and Battlegrounds Route is today a testimony of peace and understanding, a fascinating cultural and tourist itinerary kept alive thanks to different programmes of medieval gastronomy and entertainment, which are organised in markets, tournaments and medieval dinners among millennial walls.

Castles and battlegrounds