Campillo de Arenas

At the south-western edge of the Sierra Mágina, in the Campillo river valley, surrounded by mountains and olive groves, lies Campillo de Arenas, a peaceful village whose landscape is strongly characterised by the mountains and countryside, ideal for those who wish to unwind and breathe in the fresh air.

At the heart of the village Iglesia Parroquial de Nuestra Señora de la Encarnación, a Renaissance gem begun in the 16th century which preserves a valuable Mudejar coffered ceiling and has become the municipality’s main religious and cultural landmark. Nearby, on the Cerro del Castillo hill, stand the ruins of Castillo de Arenas, a fortress of Islamic origin declared a Site of Cultural Interest. Its walls, towers and cisterns evoke a past of sieges and resistance that made Campillo one of the last strongholds of the Nasrid kingdom before its fall in 1486.

This historical character is best understood at the “La Leyenda y la Frontera” Interpretation Centre, a modern, educational space that puts the region’s border history, archaeology, natural environment and local traditions into context. Among the episodes brought to life, the Re-enactment of the Battle of 1823 stands out, a unique cultural event that transforms the town into a historical stage with dramatisations, mini-plays and local participation.

The spiritual dimension is very much present in Campillo de Arenas. In the spectacular Paraje de Puerta de Arenas, a limestone gorge of great scenic and natural value, stands the Hermitage of Santa Lucía, linked to a well-known 19th-century legend and a deeply rooted devotion. Added to this is the Chapel and Museum of the Patron Saint, the Santísima Virgen de la Cabeza, a centre of worship since the 17th and 18th centuries, where mantles and artefacts are preserved today that reflect the faith, history and collective identity of the town.

The natural surroundings enhance the visitor’s experience. The Sierra de Campillo or Sierra de Alta Coloma offers an ideal setting for hiking, mountain biking and enjoying the scenery, with such outstanding spots as the Barranco del Monasterio, the Mirador de la Alberquilla and the Paraje de la Piedra del Palo, from where you can enjoy panoramic views of the Sierra Mágina and, on clear days, as far as the Sierra Nevada. Places such as La Peñuela or the Prados Bajos Forest House, now converted into rural accommodation, complete this offering of nature, tranquillity and sustainable tourism.

Campillo de Arenas is a village of living traditions. Every summer, the Moors and Christians Festival, in honour of the Virgin of La Cabeza, fills the streets with history, music, fireworks and colour, recalling the town’s borderland past. Throughout the year, a rich cultural heritage is on display in celebrations such as the bonfires of San Antón, the Carnival, Las Pajaricas de la Candelaria, San Blas, San Cristóbal and the pilgrimages to the Castle and Santa Lucía, where devotion, folklore and community participation intertwine in an authentic way.

Campillo de Arenas is all about scenery, history and hospitality. A low-key yet profound destination, where history and nature coexist in their natural state, and where every step invites you to discover the soul of a genuine frontier region.