Easy hikes and walks around Sierra Sur

Valdepeñas de Jaén is a charming town, nestled between the impressive mountain ranges of the Sierra de la Pandera to the north and the Sierra de Alta Coloma to the southeast. The town was founded in 1539 and has a typical Renaissance townscape, characterized by a checkerboard pattern. In 1558, it received the status of an independent town. Valdepeñas de Jaén offers numerous sights, such as the Ermita de Chircales, a small chapel that reflects the region's spiritual history with religious paintings and the cave of a hermit. Another highlight is the Molino de Harina, a still-functioning water mill that offers a fascinating insight into traditional flour production. Nature lovers can discover the Chorreras del Río Vadillo, a series of natural waterfalls formed by the Vadillo River and surrounded by paths offering beautiful views. The region is also a paradise for outdoor activities such as cycling. The lush forests and picturesque landscape offer ideal conditions for cyclists who want to explore the beautiful Sierra Sur. A culinary experience is offered by the restaurant El Quejigo del Carbón, located on a hill, which is known not only for its excellent cuisine but also for the breathtaking view of the surrounding landscape. Valdepeñas de Jaén is thus the perfect place to combine history, nature, culture, and sporting activities.

After the cathedral, this is the largest religious building in the city. The church was built in the 14th and 15th centuries in Gothic style and has three portals: a Gothic portal with a mosaic of the apparition of the Virgin of the Chapel, the patron saint of Jaén, who according to legend liberated the city in 1430 during a Moorish siege; a Renaissance portal by Valdelvira; and a neoclassical portal added in the 18th century by Ventura Rodriguez, which is also the main entrance to the church. Inside, you can admire the main altarpiece by Pedro and Julio Roldan and the tabernacle by Pedro Duque Cornejo. In the Capilla de la Virgen, which is decorated with stained glass windows and frescoes, there is a statue of the patron saint of Jaén. Andrés de Vandelvira is also buried here.

In this oval-shaped neoclassical church, which is of particular architectural purity, the eye is drawn by a monumental Assumption of Mary by the 18th-century painter Mariano Salvador Maella.

The Catedral de la Asunción de Jaén, also known as the Cathedral of the Holy Resurrection of the Virgin, is an impressive Renaissance building in the centre of Jaén. It was built to replace a 15th-century Gothic church and is one of the city's most important architectural gems. The cathedral is located in the Plaza de Santa María, opposite the Town Hall and the Bishop's Palace. The interior is richly decorated with beautiful works of art, and the building houses the famous relics of the Holy Face. Note its imposing towers and elegant façade.

The patronage of this place of worship “Santa Maria Asunción” or “Nuestra Señora de La Asunción” (in German-speaking countries it is called “Assumption of Mary”) refers to one of the many memorial or feast days in honor of the Blessed Mother Mary in the church year. It goes back to the festival of her physical assumption into heaven, which the (Catholic) Church celebrates annually on August 15th. In the Orthodox churches the festival is celebrated under the name “Assumption of the Virgin Mary”. In rural areas, depending on the region, it is part of the local custom that bundles of herbs are collected by the population on this day and blessed in the festival service.

The current building is a reconstruction from 1791 and is located on the emblematic and central street Carrera de las Mercedes. Inside is the Alcalá la Real City Museum and the tourist information center.

In front of the Paseo de los Álamos stands the current church of San Antón, which was built in the 18th century on a small hermitage from the 16th century.

essential visit