The best road cycling routes around Torredonjimeno

Jaén is undoubtedly the olive oil capital of Spain. This vibrant provincial capital is the ideal base for exploring the surrounding mountains and countryside and enjoying its gastronomy.

Beware of vertigo.

Meeting point!!! Meeting point!!!

Burgalimar Castle, also known as Baños de la Encina Castle, is an impressive fortress located in the town of Baños de la Encina, in the province of Jaén, Andalusia. This castle was built in the 10th century during the Caliphate of Córdoba, under the rule of Caliph Al-Hakam II. The castle is famous for its Islamic military architecture and its excellent state of preservation. It is surrounded by a robust crenellated wall with fourteen towers, as well as a keep of Christian origin. Its strategic location at the entrance to the Guadalquivir Valley made it an important defensive bastion during the Muslim era. Today, Burgalimar Castle is a national monument and a prominent tourist attraction, offering visitors the opportunity to explore its rich history and enjoy panoramic views of the region.

The difficult route of the Vía Verde del Aceite required the construction of tunnels and viaducts to overcome the terrain's orography. Thus, when we set off from Jaén in the direction of Córdoba, we encountered this first metal viaduct that stands out for its design and the material it is made of. It is 124 meters long and a maximum of 25 meters high, based on the modernist construction art typical of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, as the technique is similar to that used in the famous Eiffel Tower in Paris, but built and designed by disciples of the prodigious builder named Dayd´e and Pillé around 1890. The pieces and structure were built in the French city of Creil. This technique consists of joining the parts using rivets that avoid welding the metal.

It is not a locomotive, but a mid-19th century train car that presides over the beginning of the Via Verde del Aceite. It is a shame that vandalism has left it like this, as a witness to the present that reflects the reality of our society.

In the province of Jaén, few memories remain of the machinery used on the railway, so this boiler from a steam locomotive used from the late 19th century until the mid-20th century to transport freight and passengers on this important railway line. This section of greenway, which was removed for political reasons, houses this reminder of what was once an important economic artery in the province of Jaén, known as the "Oil Route."

It's a vestige awaiting renovation, and despite having undergone some renovations, it remains awaiting definitive support. This former railway station in the city of Martos is a testament to the splendor that the Vía del Aceite (Olive Oil Route) enjoyed during the 20th century, and therefore to the city and all the towns through which the current Vía Verde del Aceite (Olive Oil Green Route) passed. Let's hope that the authorities allocate funds to permanently restore this symbol, which is part of the city, and that it becomes a showcase for cycle tourism travelers who travel along the aforementioned green route.