CAMBIL
by Saskia Mier
Cambil, a charming town nestled in the Andalusian countryside, is a significant stop along the Ruta de los Castillos (Castle Route), boasting the remains of three ancient fortresses: Castillo de Matabejid, Castillo de Cambil and Castillo de Alhabar. The last two served as defensive bastions of the Nasrid Kingdom of Granada. Cambil has about 2,600 inhabitants.
HISTORY
Archeological discoveries suggest that Cambil was once part of the Roman municipality of Virgilia, linked by a Roman road connecting Cástulo with Acci via Mentesa Bastia. However, it transitioned into the Middle Ages as one of the settlements mentioned by Al Udri in the tenth century within the Cora de Elvira, situated on the road from Córdoba to Almería and Pechina through Jaén. Between the thirteenth and fifteenth centuries, Cambil served as an advanced stronghold on the northern border of the Nasrid Kingdom together with Alhabar and Arenas. It briefly fell into Castilian hands between 1312 and 1369 due to the conquest of the Infante Pedro de Castilla. More>
THINGS TO SEE
Castillo de Cambil
Situated on the left bank of the Cambil River, the Castle of “Qanbil” has very steep north and south sides, with the banks almost vertical. The west side grants easier access. The castle is structured on two levels, with the central one forming an alcazarejo (turret). The outer enclosure of the castle was only fortified on the western rockface, perhaps due to suffering at the hands of artillery during the reconquest of the castle in 1485. The interior of the castle features fine stonework and plaster mortar, and the alcazarejo is formed by a raised plateau that was surrounded by parapets and perhaps levelled with earth. Located on Calle Castillo Alto.
Castillo de Alhabar
The Castle of Alhabar, also called Harrabal by Hernando del Pulgar, is situated on the right bank of the Cambil River, nestled in a rocky outcrop, in front of the Castle of Cambil. It occupies the entire upper plateau of the steep cliff, This precarious position means that, of the original structure, only the east and west façades remain. The floor plan of the building is rectangular, following the shape of the rock on which it sits. The interior is divided into two levels, including a central alcazarejo. The castle occupies an impressive viewpoint, from which visitors can easily imagine the clashing of Arab and Christian forces on the battlefields of Cambil. Located on Calle Moraleda.
Iglesia Parroquial de Nuestra Señora de la Encarnación
Constructed on the site of a former mosque towards the end of the sixteenth century, this church is attributed to Alonso Barba, who applied the schemes of the Italian Vignola to the design. The church is sober in design, with a square bell tower featuring the coat of arms of Bishop Moscoso. The canvas of the Cristo del Mármol was completed in 1675, displayed above a Baroque-style golden altarpiece and flanked with Solomonic columns. Located in Plaza Constitución.
Antiguo Hospital
Built in the late eighteenth century, the Old Hospital is recognised as one of the finest examples of Baroque architecture in the province of Jaén. The linteled doorway has pilasters printed with geometric patterns and an entablature with a large cartouche in its centre, showing the coat of arms of the municipality. There are numerous other striking features, including cornices, volutes of closed spirals, a tapering tower, elaborate ironwork and Corinthian columns. Located on Calle Hospital.
Casa del Condestable
Also built in an exuberant Baroque style is the Casa del Condestable. The balconies and numerous rooms feature decorative elements like boxed pilasters and noble shields. Its intricate doorway and balcony railings add to its charm. Located on Calle del Carmen.
Casa Palacio
With an articulated façade on two floors and simple linteled doorway, this palace offers a glimpse into Cambil’s architectural heritage. Located on Calle Real.
THINGS TO SEE OUTSIDE THE TOWN
Huellas de Reptil
According to a study of reptile footprints published by A. Pérez López in 1993, the reptile footprints on this trail date back to the Sudiberian Trías of the Subbética area. Located 1km east of Cambil, the trail features eight footprints, six of which are clearly visible and two which are buried. Five correspond to the hind feet, and three to the front. The footprints are convex hypo-reliefs of sandstone, corresponding to a quadruped with pentadactyl feet and hands. Data suggests the footprints may have belonged to an omnivorous animal measuring 2-5m in length. This trail is considered a very important insight into prehistory.
Construcciones Funerarias
Following the information provided by Arturo Ruíz in 1998, burials attributed to the Middle Bronze Age were found at Km 57.5 of the Bailén-Motril Highway (A-44). They can be placed chronologically at a later stage than the known collective burials in Albanchez de Úbeda, Cabra del Santo Cristo and Pegalajar, which respond to a characteristic model of a lineage or extended family (collective burials). In the case of the Santa Lucía Tunnel, the findings suggest another social model based on the nuclear family.
Castillo Mata Bejid
This castle is thought to date from the fourteenth century, and is attributed to Christian origins. The remains which are visible today suggest that Mata Bejid served a distinctly strategic function, designed to support a small garrison. The enclosure of the western sector is very deteriorated, with much of its stonework having disappeared into the adjacent Los Prados stream. The eastern enclosure is better preserved, having at one time been remodelled as the wall of a farmhouse. The towers have a square floor plan; the one in the north sector is about 7.90m on each side and has an interior chamber covered with a pointed vault; the one in the south sector looks more like a defensive bastion than a tower, with a completely solid first body and a habitable upper body, covered by two half-barrel vaults that are articulated laterally in an arch. Located north east of the town, off the A-324.
Iglesia de San Juan Bautista
In 1895, Don Manuel Izquierdo, Priest of Arbuniel, conceived the idea of building a church in his village. Due to limited finances, he toured the surrounding towns searching for construction materials. On September 28, the construction was completed, and it was consecrated on October 7. Over the years, the church has undergone numerous restorations, including some floor replacements and the removal of the altars. Located in Plaza de España.
NATURAL AREAS
Fuente del Espinal
Situated among centuries-old olive groves, the Fuente del Espinar was traditionally used to irrigate the groves, taking advantage of the subterranean flows of Monte del Calar. Today, the spring is well conserved and features a natural pool from the mid-twentieth century.
Sierra Mágina Natural Park
The rugged Sierra Mágina Natural Park covers 19,900ha of rocky, steep limestone terrain, with precipitous cliffs and high summits that are often snow-capped in winter. Evocatively named by the Moors as the mountain of the spirits, the Sierra has a fascinating history glimpsed in its prehistoric cave paintings and defensive architecture built by warring Christians and Muslims. In the tenth century, it harboured Moorish rebel leaders and, much later, bandits. Its remote corners also provided a refuge for bears, wolves and the pardel lynx.
BUS SERVICE
There is a bus service from Cambil to Jaén. More>
GASTRONOMY
When visiting Cambil try local dishes such as almoronía (pork stew), gachas con caldo (a kind of savory porridge usually served with roast pork), tortas gachas (cod stew), bacalao encebollado (cod stewed in onions) and cangrejos del Río Arbuniel en salsa (crab from the Arbuniel River). Sweet treats include roscos de sarten (doughnuts), roscos de vino (aniseed biscuits) and tortas de aceite (olive oil cakes).
FESTIVALS
Popular festivals in Cambil are Lumbres de San Antón, Día de San Sebastián, Fiestas Patronales del Santo Cristo del Mármol, Fiestas Patronales de la Santísima Virgen del Rosario and Santa Ana. More>
WEATHER FOARECAST
The weather forecast for the next few days for Cambil. More>
TOURIST OFFICE
The tourist office of Cambil is located in the Town Hall. More>
NEARBY PLACES
The neighbouring villages to Cambil are Huelma and La Guardia de Jaén.