Vilches

Vilches

by Saskia Mier

Vilches is located close to the Yeguas-Despeñaperros River. This whole area is classified as a site of special protection due to its beautiful natural landscapes and archeological wealth. The town itself has about 4,400 inhabitants.

History

Nearly a hundred archaeological sites have been inventoried in the municipality of Vilches. Many of these date from the Bronze Age of the 2nd millennium BC; the metallurgical activity made possible by the mines of the Sierra Morena, and the fertile lands in its surroundings, lead to the appearance of small towns, some fortified, in strategic locations such as Cañada de Malabrigo, Giribaile or the Cerro del Salto.

THINGS TO SEE

Iglesia de San Miguel Arcángel
The church dates to the late sixteenth century, as indicated by the carved stone coat of arms over the main portal; the hat and tassels depicted on the carving mean this is an homage to Bishop Don Francisco de Sarmiento y Mendoza. The entrance portal is Renaissance in style, while the north portal is Mannerist. Also noteworthy on the exterior is the rectangular tower, with two sections separated by a cornice, mixed-line bent decoration on the bell tower and a hipped roof. Inside, the presbytery has a semi-orange vault on pendentives, decorated with coats of arms on parchment cartouches. The eighteenth-century altarpiece, the work of local sculptor Diego Briones, is representative of the transition from Baroque to Rococo; covered by a small ribbed vault, it is covered with plant-shaped carvings and twisted columns. The temple preserves an Almohad banner and a Christian sign that are thought to originate from the Battle of Navas de Tolosa in 1212. Located in Plaza Mayor.

Castillo del Cerro de la Virgen
Settled on a high hill and surrounded by the Guadalén and Guadalimar Rivers is the old Castillo de Vilches, which has overseen countless crucial military standoffs between Almohads and Almoravids, Arabs and Christians and, centuries before, the Punic Wars between Romans and Carthaginians. Today, there are hardly any remains of the fortress. Declared a Site of Cultural Interest in 1985. Located on Calle Cuevas Altas.

Ermita de la Virgen del Castillo
The chapel has been situated in the castle since the eighteenth century, replacing the medieval Iglesia de Santiago. Its Latin cross plan is covered by a half-barrel vault decorated with geometric motifs, except in the transept and the dressing room, which are protected by a better half on pendentives decorated with cherubs and plants. The neoclassical presbytery houses a pavilion with the image of the Virgin designed by Palma Burgos in 1950. Located on Calle Cuevas Altas.

Iglesia de Santiago Apóstol
The church has a whitewashed façade, a doorway with a stained-glass rose window and a single bell tower on its left. Although a recent construction, it is a beautiful building which has quickly become an emblem of the town; its interior is decorated with numerous frescoes by the American artist Peter Crow. Located on Calle Camino Real.

THINGS TO SEE OUTSIDE THE TOWN

Iglesia de Miraelrío
When José Luis Fernández del Amo designed the extraordinary church in the town of Miraelrío in 1971, he had already won the Eugenio d’Ors Gold Medal and co-founded the Museum of Contemporary Art in Madrid. His commission for Miraelrío was built on principles of cohesion; the architect sought to link his practice with other art forms, calling on painters and sculptors, and the church unites its small urban surroundings with the wider natural environment beyond. The lobed covering that runs through the central nave at different heights is an example of dynamic artistic expression. The altar also creates the spatial illusion of walking towards the faithful and the ornamentation is strictly submitted to constructive needs and to the liturgical demands of the congregation. In 2006, Miraelrío was registered in the General Catalog of Andalusian Historical Heritage.

Castillo de Giribaile
The Giribaile fortress was conquered by Fernando III in 1227 and handed over in 1292 to Don Gil, judge of Baeza. In 1397, the castle belonged to Don Gil Baile or Gil Bayle de Cabrera. The fortification occupied the northern end of the broad plateau, equipped with defensive structures belonging to an Iberian oppidum, which were used by the Muslims as foundations for the new defenses. The castle has an irregular floor plan, and its conserved elements include two towers, some sections of wall and a cistern made of rammed earth covered with a barrel vault. Among its structures, it is worth highlighting a solid tower that once housed three rooms inside. Declared an Asset of Cultural Interest in 1985.

NATURAL AREAS

Vilches is perfect for visitors who enjoy the great outdoors and exploring natural areas; highlights include the Cerro del Mortero, Paraje de la Zarzuela, Dehesa de las Yeguas, El Piélago, Sierra Morena Central, Cuenca del Panzacola and Valdeinfierno.

Hotels in Vilches

Book Hotels in Vilches

Vilches

Hotel Casa Marchena

Offering rooms with air conditioning and free Wi-Fi, this hotel is 2 minutes’ walk from the town centre. There is a cafeteria, a restaurant and a nightclub.

Hotel Casa Marchena is located in Vilches, at the foothills of Sierra Morena Mountains. Linares is 30 minutes’ drive, while Jaen is 70 km away.

Destinations