Fuerte del Rey
by Saskia Mier
Fuerte del Rey is surrounded by beautiful landscapes, making it an ideal place to practice small game hunting, especially of partridge and hare. It has about 1,400 inhabitants.
HISTORY
From Prehistory and Ancient History, Fuerte del Rey has one of the best studied archaeological sites in Spain, Las Atalayuelas, which dates from the second millennium BC. Abandoned for a time, it was repopulated in the first millennium BC, until the Iberian period, when a fortress was built. More>
THINGS TO SEE
Iglesia de la Natividad de Nuestra Señora
The construction of the church concluded in 1796. Covered with gabled tiles, the buildingconsists of a single floor with large pointed and whitewashed arches, which show a later remodeling and give rise, on the Evangelist side, to four niches that host processional images. The most interesting element is the belfry, which is located at the foot of the temple, articulated in three bodies separated by molding, with a window in the second with ashlar cladding. Located in Plaza de la Constitución. (Location)
Vieja Fábrica de Harina
This interesting structure was once the flour factory. Built in 1930 and in operation until 1974, it is one of the oldest flour mills preserved in the province. A basic staple for the economy of the municipality in the post-war years, it still maintains much of the most modern machinery of the time.In 2004, it was registered in the GeneralCatalogue of Andalusian Historical Heritage as a Place of Ethnological Interest. Located in Callejón de la Harina. (Location)
Ayuntamiento
The Town Hall is a simple and functional building with a long and low structure. Recently remodeledwith an irregular and asymmetrical arrangement, it has a stone rendition of the town shield, featuring the imperial double-headed eagle, on its façade, and is topped by a small pediment with clock and bell dating to 1933. Located in Plaza de la Constitución. (Location)
THINGS TO SEE OUTSIDE THE VILLAGE
Torre de María Martín
The tower, also known as “El Torreón”, is located about 452 meters above sea level, in the watershed defined by the Cerrillo del Limón and El Torreón, with the limit of the municipal term of Fuerte del Rey4400 meters to the south, and that of Cazalilla7700 meters to the north. The archaeological site presents the elevation of a circular medieval tower, about 7m in diameter, which rests on another construction with a square plan, which possibly corresponds to an Iberian turris.The Torre de María Martín has been classified as an Asset of Cultural Interest since June 29, 1985. Located 250m southwest of the junction of the Camino de Fuerte del Rey and the Camino de la Torre, in whose surroundings the Torre María Martín farmhouse was established. (Location)
Yacimiento de Las Atalayuelas
The archaeological site of Las Atalayuelas is an Iberian oppidum, which hosted an Iberian cult space, later assimilated by the Roman religion. During High Imperial times, it was configured as Vicus. Remnants unearthed here evidence settlement from theNeolithic to Emral times. (Location)
GASTRONOMY
Dishes to try when visiting Fuerte del Reyincludesalpicón(tomato salad), migas (fried breadcrumbs served with pork) andpotaje de bacalao (cod stew). Traditionally, hornazos (sweet honey pastries) are made for Holy Week.
FESTIVALS
Popular festivals in Fuerte del Rey are San Antón, Semana Santa, San Isidro and Fiestas Patronales.More>
NEARBY PLACES
The neighbouring villages to Fuerte del Rey are Lahiguera, Escañuela and Jaén City.