History - Torres
The origins of the village of Torres date back to the Upper Palaeolithic. The first dwellings discovered were in the nearby Cerro del Morrón, where the inhabitants found shelters suitable for living. Another settlement chosen by the first inhabitants of the area was Cerro Alcalá, also known as Ossigi. Cerro Alcalá is 687 metres above sea level, making it a good natural defence against possible invasions. This allowed the settlements to continue until the Iberian period, when the enclosure was fortified and the population increased considerably.
After the landing of the Roman legions in Ampurias in 218 BC, the Romans occupied the entire Mediterranean coast, reaching the province of Jaén. They were attracted to Jaen by the wealth offered by the mines and land. The Roman city of Ossigi acquired great importance and came to have an area of approximately 10 hectares.
In the Middle Ages, after the battle of Las Navas de Tolosa in 1212 the Christians of Castilla began to control Andalucia, and push the frontier forward. The Muslims conquered Baeza, taking control of the south of the Kingdom of Jaén. From the conquest of Torres until 1285 the are around Torrez was integrated into the Moorish area of Baezano alfoz.
The figure of Francisco de los Cobos was undoubtedly one of the most influential of the sixteenth century. Originally from Ubet, in 1475 he ‘purchased’ bought the towns of Torres, Sabiote and Canena. The purchase of Torres, valued at 21,796,316 maravedis, also included half of Canena. This acquisition gave him the authority to govern, make the laws and enjoy monopolies. When Cobos died, his widow took charge of his properties from the palace she owned in Valladolid, but the problems worsened to such an extent that she was forced to sign a Concord with Pedro de Palomares on behalf of the Council.
The discovery of America also affected Torres. The attraction offered by the so-called Indies led to at least five residents, either employed or as servants, embark on an adventure to the new world.
During the seventeenth century, the transition from the reign of the Habsburgs to the Bourbons was complicated. After the death of Carlos II, the last Habsburg, a problem arose for succession to the throne. This conflict led to a war to which the inhabitants of Torres refused to partake in due to most of them already suffering from disease.
Despite all the adversities that Torres has faced over the centuries, the inhabitants have managed to overcome them and survive the different periods of history. The population has been growing thanks to the fertile pastures and mountains, the large expanse of fertile land and the important agricultural and livestock development. Torres has become one of the most important towns in the area.
A guide to the village of Torres
A guide to the Sierra Magina area
A guide to Jaen Province