Southern Castles: a walk through the military history of Jaén

The territory of the current province of Jaén has been very important at a military level throughout history. During the Reconquista, it was a transit area for the crusaders advancing towards Seville and Granada from the Christian kingdoms, and in subsequent centuries it was fortified to defend the interior of the Peninsula from new invaders. That is why it has the largest concentration of castles and fortresses in all of Europe, many of them visitable.
Now, the Provincial Council of Jaén, together with Nattule, offers its elders a route, called Castillos del Sur de Jaén, through the western part of the province, visiting the different castles and fortifications in the area.

SANTA CATALINA CASTLE (JAÉN)

The Castle of Santa Catalina is a medieval fortress with an almost triangular plan that was very important for the Reconquista, but also during the War of Independence. At that time it was occupied by the French, who used it as a base of operations. Currently, inside there is an interpretation center in which a good part of its evolution and the history of Jaén is recreated.

LA MOTA FORTRESS IN ALCALÁ LA REAL

Unlike the rest of the castles on the Castles and Battles route, La Mota is a castle from the Andalusian period and Nasrid style. It has the structure of the Arab fortresses, with a walled outer enclosure, a citadel or inner enclosure, and a more fortified fortress. The building that remains today is the result of an exhaustive restoration.

ALCAUDETE CASTLE

Finally, the route takes us to the Alcaudete castle. This Castle has had several stages throughout its life, which have impregnated its walls with legends and stories, memories and adventures, which have left their mark on its structure and which make the monumental complex have a singular beauty that does not leave anyone indifferent. to your visitors.

STEP BY STEP ITINERARY

Day 1. City of origin – JAÉN.

Departure from points of origin. See exit points.

DEPARTURE POINTS

1:00 p.m.: Arrival at the hotel and meeting with our accompanying guide for the explanation of the “SENIOR TOURISM – KNOW YOUR PROVINCE” program, where we will introduce the itinerary for a better perspective of the area we are going to visit during this trip.

1:30 p.m.: Lunch.

4:00 p.m.: Visit to Cultural Visit to Jaén. Jaén one of the border cities between the Nasrid kingdom of Granada and the Christian kingdom of Jaén. An obligatory caravan passage from which its original name (yayyan) comes. With a historic center of Arab, Jewish and Christian layout. The traditional legend of the Lizard of Jaén in the oldest neighborhood of the city.

Villardompardo Palace Cultural Center: Arab Baths: the best preserved in Europe for preserving the four complete rooms of the hamman, they date back to the 11th century and received the “Europa Nostra” Award for the best conservation and restoration in 1984 by the architect Luis Berges Roldán. Museum of Popular Customs and Museum of Naive Art. Descent towards the Plaza de Santa María where the visitor will be surprised by the monumental façade of the Cathedral of the Assumption, which makes its way with the buildings of the Episcopal Palace and the City Hall. Optionally we will visit the Cathedral in depth: Monumental façade and loggia, Temple, Ante-sacristy, Sacristy, Chapter House, Main Chapel, Cathedral Choir and Trascoro. We will finish with the views of the city from the Castle of Santa Catalina.

7:00 p.m.: Transfer to the hotel. Toilet and brief rest.

8:00 p.m.: Dinner. After it, socio-cultural animation. Accommodation.

Day 2. ALCALÁ LA REAL – ALCAUDETE.

9:00 a.m.: Breakfast

10:00 a.m.: Alcalá la Real Cultural Visit. Alcalá la Real is dominated by the vast monumental complex of the La Mota Fortress but it has one of the most notable historic centers in all of Andalusia dominated by palaces, churches and beautiful squares. This guided tour, an ideal complement to the visit of the fortress, will allow you to discover the Renaissance and baroque city of this prosperous city halfway between Granada and Jaén. A visit to the great fortress of La Mota, the hallmark of Alcala, is essential. To the south of the Alcazaba and in the space that today makes up the Iglesia Mayor Abacial, former site of the Muslim mosque, Torre de la Cárcel and Casas de Cabildo, was the administrative and religious heart of the city. Currently we see the remains of palaces and arcades that constituted the Plaza Alta of the complex.

1:30 p.m.: Lunch.

4:00 p.m.: Visit to the Alcaudete Castle. For this purpose, a fortress was built at the top of the hill, taking advantage of the steep slopes, rock groups and natural gorges for its defense. Thus, during the Almohad rule, a large wall was built around the urban center, as well as a fortress on the summit. Inside the castle there was a cistern that collected rainwater to survive, and tents as homes, to live and sleep. It was built between the 13th and 14th centuries.

7:00 p.m.: Transfer to the hotel. Toilet and brief rest.

8:00 p.m.: Dinner. After it, socio-cultural animation. Accommodation

Day 3. JAÉN – City of origin.

9:00 a.m.: Breakfast

10:30 a.m.: Visit to the CI Jaén Paraíso Interior, Provincial Museum and Iberian Museum. Most of its collections come from Jaen Museum, as well as the Iberian sites of Jaén such as Cerrillo Blanco (Porcuna), Castulo (Linares), Plank Bridge (Jaen), Cerro del Pajarillo (Huelma), Watchtowers (King's Fort) or the sepulchral chamber of Toya. In the same way, Iberian objects will be selected from the archaeological museums of Almeria, Seville, Cordova, Grenade and Linares The Provincial Museum of Jaén is a reference place when it comes to art and history in the province. It consists of two sections, Archeology and Fine Arts with a total of 1,691 pieces and more than 15,000 in storage.

1:30 p.m.: Lunch.

After lunch, we head towards our place of origin. Arrival (see schedules and delivery points in description). END OF OUR SERVICES.

INCLUDED SERVICES:

Approved transportation throughout the itinerary.

Accompanying guide throughout the itinerary.

Travel insurance.

2 nights in a hotel.

2 full board + 1 extra lunch day 3.

Guide service in Jaén.

Entrance to the Castle of Santa Catalina.

Entrance to the Jaén Cathedral.

Guide service in Alcalá la Real.

Entrance to the Mota Fortress + Abbey Palace.

Guide service in Alcaudete.

Entrance to Alcaudete Castle.

Jaén Museums guide service

So now you know, we'll see you on the Nattule bus to visit the main destinations of Jaén Paraíso Interior. We'll see you inside!

And if you are already inside, here we leave you the assistance telephone numbers and your guides:

Mobile assistance: 627628080

Guide that will accompany you: Sonia Romero / 665503744

Driver: Elidio

Telephone support:
Telephones during business hours (9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.)
627628080 | 953496027
24 hour telephone numbers:
629361601 | 636679081

Anti-Covid measures during the trip: click here

Information upon arrival at the hotel: click here