This municipality is part of:
Cazorla - Jaén Paraíso Interior
Cazorla
Cazorla is a municipality located in the east of the province of Jaén, declared a historic-artistic site and within the Sierras de Cazorla, Segura and Las Villas Natural Park, the largest protected area in Spain, the second largest in Europe and declared a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in 1983.
It is the main urban enclave in these mountains. Its town centre sits in the shadow of the Peña de los Halcones, with the mountains behind it and an immense sea of olive trees at sunset.
The majestic castle of Yedra stands out above the town, from where there are fantastic panoramic views of the urban fabric of white houses, narrow, steep streets, with traditional dwellings and stately homes, and a large number of monuments of outstanding artistic interest.
The waters of its hillsides are collected by the river Cerezuelo, a tributary of the Guadalquivir. A place where Nature expresses itself in all its splendour.
Information
Data of interest
Tourist area : Sierras de Cazorla, Segura y las Villas
Distance to the capital (km): 105
Altitude above sea level (m): 836
Extensión (Km2): 305
No. of Inhabitants: 8527
Demonym Cazorleños
Postal Code: 23470
Tourist information
https://cazorla.es/turismo/
turismo@cazorla.es
Culture
Cazorla, at the gates of the Sierras de Cazorla, Segura y las Villas Natural Park, is a lesson in how man and nature have been weaving an alliance that has been maintained. Its rich cultural heritage is home to places not to be missed.
The Castle of La Yedra, whose origins could be Muslim, possibly from the Almohad period (12th century), although throughout the 13th, 14th and 15th centuries the Christians finished giving it its definitive configuration, which explains why the Gothic style predominates in a large part of its interior rooms. The keep houses the Museo de Artes y Costumbres Populares del Alto Guadalquivir (Museum of Popular Arts and Customs of the Upper Guadalquivir). A place to learn more about how the ancestors lived in these lands.
From its location, 831 metres above sea level, you can see the town of Cazorla and its surroundings.
The ruins of the Church of Santa María, an example of the Andalusian Renaissance, are very probably the work of Andrés de Vandelvira, as many of its elements can be recognised in well-known temples by him in Úbeda.
It is built over the river Cerezuelo, which made it necessary to previously channel it, which enters in a large vault under the main altar, crossing the entire church, to continue its course under ...
Culture
Cazorla, at the gates of the Sierras de Cazorla, Segura y las Villas Natural Park, is a lesson in how man and nature have been weaving an alliance that has been maintained. Its rich cultural heritage is home to places not to be missed.
The Castle of La Yedra, whose origins could be Muslim, possibly from the Almohad period (12th century), although throughout the 13th, 14th and 15th centuries the Christians finished giving it its definitive configuration, which explains why the Gothic style predominates in a large part of its interior rooms. The keep houses the Museo de Artes y Costumbres Populares del Alto Guadalquivir (Museum of Popular Arts and Customs of the Upper Guadalquivir). A place to learn more about how the ancestors lived in these lands.
From its location, 831 metres above sea level, you can see the town of Cazorla and its surroundings.
The ruins of the Church of Santa María, an example of the Andalusian Renaissance, are very probably the work of Andrés de Vandelvira, as many of its elements can be recognised in well-known temples by him in Úbeda.
It is built over the river Cerezuelo, which made it necessary to previously channel it, which enters in a large vault under the main altar, crossing the entire church, to continue its course under ...
Culture
Cazorla, at the gates of the Sierras de Cazorla, Segura y las Villas Natural Park, is a lesson in how man and nature have been weaving an alliance that has been maintained. Its rich cultural heritage is home to places not to be missed.
The Castle of La Yedra, whose origins could be Muslim, possibly from the Almohad period (12th century), although throughout the 13th, 14th and 15th centuries the Christians finished giving it its definitive configuration, which explains why the Gothic style predominates in a large part of its interior rooms. The keep houses the Museo de Artes y Costumbres Populares del Alto Guadalquivir (Museum of Popular Arts and Customs of the Upper Guadalquivir). A place to learn more about how the ancestors lived in these lands.
From its location, 831 metres above sea level, you can see the town of Cazorla and its surroundings.
The ruins of the Church of Santa María, an example of the Andalusian Renaissance, are very probably the work of Andrés de Vandelvira, as many of its elements can be recognised in well-known temples by him in Úbeda.
It is built over the river Cerezuelo, which made it necessary to previously channel it, which enters in a large vault under the main altar, crossing the entire church, to continue its course under the Plaza de Santa María. It is very likely that the church was never completely finished and that the serious damage caused by the terrible storm and flood of 1694 made it even more difficult to finish it. It is the only church built on a riverbed.
The Cazorla Town Hall currently houses the Municipal Tourist Information Office and Multi-Purpose Centre, where concerts and performances are held.
A place of special interest is the Bóveda (vault) over the river Cerezuelo, which was the base on which the church of Santa María was built. A visit to the interior of the vault is like entering the bowels of this artery of Cazorla.
Nature
Cazorla, located in the heart of the mountains and whose historic centre seems to spill over the Peña de los Halcones, is without doubt one of the most beautiful villages in Jaén. And the best way to discover the wonders of nature in this area is to follow one of the well-marked trails in the surrounding area. Among them we would highlight the following for their environmental educational value:
- The Five Corners Castle Trail.
- Circular path of the Cerezuelo river.
- Path of the Escaleruela.
- Source of the river Guadalquivir.
Walking along these trails is the ideal way to contemplate the labyrinth of valleys, limestone limestone crags, gorges, mountains and river basins, as well as the large number of rivers and streams that run along the slopes. On these walks, we will also discover the variety of Mediterranean botany of this place: pines, junipers, holm oaks and other endemic species. The fauna includes birds of prey and mammals such as rabbits, hares, deer, foxes and wild boar. A unique opportunity to discover the multiple ecosystems that exist in this environment.
Parties and Events
Holy Week takes on a singular importance in this town of Cazorla. During the days of this week, several processions take place on each of the days, each of which has been carved by well-known image-makers.
The Pilgrimage of the Virgen de la Cabeza, which is held on the last Sunday in April, is a deeply-rooted devotion among the locals. In preparation for the pilgrimage, on the Sundays in April prior to the pilgrimage, a parade of lambs adorned with coloured ribbons is held to be offered to the Virgin, which will be auctioned off in the following days.
The Town Council organises and promotes numerous cultural and sporting events, including the following: Blues Cazorla Festival, International Theatre Festival, Maratón Bit Sierra de Cazorla, Fiestas del Adelantamiento de Cazorla, Noche de la Tragantía (a local theatre association), Maratón BTT Sierra de Cazorla.
Gastronomy
The gastronomy of the 26 municipalities that make up the Sierras de Cazorla, Segura and Las Villas Natural Park is influenced by both Andalusian and Castile-La Mancha cuisine.
The raw materials used are game meats, river fish, pulses and fresh vegetables from their own harvest. All of this is seasoned with olive oil from their own olive groves.
Among the most typical dishes are the following:
- La Gachamiga, crumbs of flour, water, oil, dried and fried peppers, chorizo and, depending on the time of year, melon, cherries, grapes...
- Ajoharina: flour, garlic, peppers, potatoes, tomatoes, paprika, water and salt.
- Talarines or Andrajos: thin cakes of flour dough with hare or rabbit.
- Rin-ran": a good starter at any table. The traditional Serrano bread is spread on a purée Pipirrama or gypsy salad: made with onion, pepper, tomato, garlic, cumin, extra virgin olive oil, vinegar and salt.
- Serrano trout, trout in almond sauce, or trout with truffle..
- Fig bread: an outstanding dessert made with dried figs mixed with walnuts, chopped almonds and a dash of aniseed.
History
Around the year 2000 BC, the first settlers established themselves on the ancient terraces of the river Cerezuelo.
During Romanization, the Romans settled in this region and came to exploit the riches of silver and salt that existed in the area. It was during the Muslim occupation that Cazorla, like its neighbouring towns, was fortified with the construction of castles.
In this way the Lordship of Cazorla in the Middle Ages became a border enclave of great importance. Proof of this can be seen in the number of castles and fortresses that delimited the Adelantamiento created in 1231.
The Christian conquest of these territories was carried out by Rodrigo Ximénez de Rada, Archbishop of Toledo, in 1235. It was King Ferdinand III who gave these territories to the Archbishopric of Toledo as a fief under the name of Adelantamiento de Cazorla.
The lordship would be maintained until the abolition of the Lordships at the beginning of the 19th century, although during this period jurisdictional conflicts arose between the inhabitants and the diocese of Toledo.
The Cortes de Cádiz granted it the title of City in 1813 for its participation in the War of Independence.
Source of information
Ayuntamiento de Cazorla
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