JIMENA
Jimena sits along the Ruta de los Castillos, a network of towns based around important castles, however, the highlight of its historical and artistic heritage is the Cueva de la Granja, declared a Historic Monument, which houses seven groups of Neolithic paintings. It has about 1,300 inhabitants.
HISTORY
Jimena has a rich prehistoric legacy visible in the Cueva de la Graja cave paintings, which attest to the shepherds that populated the Sierras Meridionales between the fourth and third millennium BC. There are numerous historic settlements that demonstrate how the area was subsequently populated, especially Cerro Alcalá, an important reference for the prehistoric, ancient and medieval heritage of the town. More>
THINGS TO SEE
Iglesia de Santiago el Mayor
This church is named after the day of festivities which took place when Fernando III won Jimena from the Arabs in 1234. The church was built in the Gothic style, with features like pointed arches, offset by a Renaissance, semicircular entranceway. The church has undergone various restorations, and the current roof, three golden altarpieces, carving of the Virgen del Rosario and square tower all date from 1960. Located on Calle Audiencia.(Location)
Castillo and Torre del Homenaje
The imposing Torre del Homenaje is part of the Castillo de Jimena, which was built by the Arabs as a defensive fortress in the tenth century. After it was conquered by Fernando III in 1234, the castle became part of the city of Baeza and later passed into the hands of the Nasrids. In 1457, the castle was handed over to the Order of Calatrava, who reformed its defenses and adapted it into a manor house, eventually becoming the property of the Marquises of Camarasa. The tower itself was Declared an Asset of Cultural Interest in 1985: the painted frescoes inside have largely deteriorated, and only parts of a naval scene are still visible today. Located in Plaza de la Constitución.(Location)
Cueva de la Graja
These important cave paintings were discovered in 1902, and comprise seven groups of figures painted in red hues. They are attributed to the Neolithic period, around the third millennium BC. The figures are human representations in the “brazos en asa” style, along with abstract animal figures such as bulls, goats and horses, as well as symbols which are difficult to interpret. A scene of grazing animals highlights the functional importance of animals to the prehistoric community, whilst other animal figures suggest a link between fauna and the divine. Declared a National Historic Monument in 1924 and now an Asset of Cultural Interest. Located on Calle Audiencia.(Location)
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THINGS TO SEE OUTSIDE THE TOWN
Ermita de Nuestra Señora de los Remedios
The chapel of Nuestra Señora de los Remedios sits on the road to Albanchez, at the foot of the mountains. Nestled between palm trees and a fountain, it is a small temple with a cross-shaped floor plan, built in 1910. Located southeast of the town, on the J-3105.(Location)
NATURAL AREAS
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.(Location)
Pinar de Cánava
The Pinar de Cánava is a forest that forms part of the Sierra Mágina Natural Park. Of its 120 specimens of pine, the Aleppo pine dominates. The forest is renowned for the longevity of its trees, with many between 100 and 250 years old. As well as being of great scientific and educational value (demonstrating the pine lifecycle), the forest is an important habitat for species such as the wood pigeon and Bonelli’s eagle. The forest also offers visitors beautiful panoramic views of the Sierra Mágina, the Campiña de Jaén olive grove and various towns including Jimena, Torres and Albanchez de Mágina. Declared an Andalusian Natural Monument.(Location)
COUNTRYSIDE WALKS
Sendero Pinar de Cánava
Duration: 45 min.
Length: 1470 m.
Difficulty: Medium
The route and can be accessed by the “Cordel del Gollizno” cattle route that starts from the vicinity of the Ermita de Cánava.(Location)
BUS SERVICE
There is a bus service from Jimena to Jaén. More>
GASTRONOMY
Visitors to Jimena can try traditional dishes such as lomo adobado (roast pork loin), migas (fried breadcrumbs with pork), pipirrana con oregano (tomato, oregano and pepper salad), habas con tomate (broad bean in tomato) and piminetos asados (roast peppers). Sweets include pestiños (sweet honey pastries), pan de higo (fig bread) and madalenas (madeleines), which can be accompanied by a green walnut liqueur called Vino de la Noche de San Juan.
FESTIVALS
Popular festivals in Jimena are Fiesta de la Cruz, Feria y Fiestas en Honor de la Patrona Virgen de los Remedios and Lumbres de Santa Lucía. More>
WEATHER FOARECAST
The weather forecast for the next few days for Jimena. More>
TOURIST OFFICE
The tourist office of Jimena is located in the Town Hall. More>
NEARBY PLACES
The neighbouring villages to Jimena are Bedmar y Garcíez, Albanchez de Mágina and Mancha Real.