Countryside Property for Sale in the Sierra Magina - Jaen Province - Andalucia
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Sierra Magina
The Sierra Mágina is a protected area of 50,000 acres of natural park, made up of forested slopes, concealed valleys and rugged mountain peaks. The highest peak, the Mágina Mountain is the highest in the Jaén province, standing at 2167 metres. The park is a perfect place to enjoy walking, rock climbing, mountaineering, mountain biking and pot-holing in the many underground caves. Summer in the Sierra Mágina is warm and dry but during the winter, snow falls on the higher parts of the mountains. The area is a haven for wildlife. The ibex, the wild boar and the genet are all found here and the mountains are also home to the largest colony of golden eagles in Spain. Around the mountains are dotted traditional Andalucían villages with crumbling castles, old churches and whitewashed houses.
Jódar
Located at the foot of the Sierra Mágina mountains, Jódar serves as a gateway into the Natural Park. The town has huge fields of olive trees to one side of it and mountains on the other. A pretty village, Jódar is spread out at the foot of the hill and presided over by the remains of a 9th century castle, one of the oldest in the region.
Places of interest in the town include the numerous cave houses that have been carved into the hills, the castle and the 16th century parish Church of Nuestra Deñora de la Asunción. Traditionally, Jódar was involved in working with the esparto grass that grows abundantly on the surrounding hills. Originally, this grass was made into “capachos” or mats, onto which olives were pressed in order to extract their oil. Today, modern processes are used to press olives, but craftsmen continue to produce gifts and tourist items from the esparto.
The castle of Jódar serves as the main visitors centre to the Sierra Mágina Natural Park. An area of outstanding beauty with an abundance of wildlife and spectacular views, the forested slopes of the Sierra Mágina offer a wealth of opportunities for nature lovers. At the visitors centre there is information regarding activities such as four-wheel drive tours, mountain-biking, pot-holing and paragliding. Jódar’s municiple area also contains part of the Alto Guadalquivir Natural Space, an environmentally important wetland area.
Jódar is a small town of 12000. It is the largest population centre in the Sierra Mágina and acts as a small service centre for the surrounding area. There are several stores, bars, restaurants and guesthouses in the town, also a health centre, a library and 2 schools.
Jódar is located on the A-301 road, 22km south of Úbeda, the nearest town. Jódar is 45km from Jaén, via winding country roads. The nearest airport is at Granada, 105km to the south.
To the west of Jódar is the village of Bedmar. The village contains a beautiful 16th century renaissance church and the remains of a Moorish castle. Bedmar is 4km west of Jódar at the foot of the Sierra Mágina. To the north of Bedmar is the village of Garciez, which is part of Bedar’s municipal district. Together these villages have a population of 3200.
West of Bedmar is the village of Jimena with a population of 1500. To the north of the Sierra Mágina, Jimena is situated in a landscape of olive groves, orchards and mountain scenery, with a 16th century church and the remains of a Moorish castle. Some important prehistoric cave paintings have been found in the nearby Cueva de la Graja and the Cave of Morrón.
Mancha Real
To the northwest of the Sierra Mágina, Mancha Real is situated in the foothills of the Mágina, beneath the Peña Aguila – Eagle’s Rock. Founded in the 16th century, the village was named Mancha Real in 1653 in order to commemorate King Felipe V’s visit. The parish church of San Juan Evangelista dates from the 16th century and is partly the work of Vandelvira. A number of festivals take place in Mancha Real throughout the year, beginning with the fiesta in honour of San Antón on the 16th January. Huge bonfires are built in the streets out of olive branches in this traditional celebration. On the 19th March, a fiesta unique to Mancha Real takes place when the feast of San José features a burning figure known as a hoguera.
Mancha Real is a village of 9000 inhabitants, there are a couple of shops, bars and restaurants in the village. Mancha Real is 17km east of Jaén.
Surrounded by olive groves, almond trees, fruit orchards and mountain scenery, Torres is a village located in the foothills of the Sierra Mágina. With a population of 1800, Torres is 8km east of Mancha Real on a winding mountain road. A small mountain road winds through the Sierra Mágina for 11km to Albánchez de Ubeda. Albánchez is a traditional Andalucían mountain village of whitewashed houses with a crumbling castle. The remains of a Roman aqueduct can be seen in Albánchez. 1500 people live in Albánchez.
Pegalajar
An interesting village of 3000 inhabitants, Pegalajar is located in the heart of olive growing country next to the Sierra Mágina. The village dates back to Moorish times when it was called Pead Ajar or “Land of Vineyards”. The village has long been connected with the Fuente de la Reja, the source of La Charca’s waters. There are numerous cave houses in the village and the nearby Cave of Los Majuelos is an impressive sight filled with stalactites and stalagmites. A collective creates natural therapeutic oil-based cosmetics from the olive oil that is produced in the area, mixing it with locally found herbs.
Pegalajar is located just off the N323 motorway, 21km south of Jaén.
Cambil
Located close to the Villanueva and Oviedo Rivers, Cambil lies south of the Sierra Mágina. The village of 3000 inhabitants contains a 16th century church and an 18th century hospital. Nearby is the source of the Arbuniel River, a particularly beautiful natural spot. Cambil is 8km from the N323 motorway, 32km from Jaén.
Huelma
An outstanding mountain village standing at 1100 metres, Huelma is picturesque and inviting. Its traditional Andalucían whitewashed houses and labyrinth of narrow streets are clustered beneath the ruins of a Moorish castle. A National Historic Artistic site, Huelma is surrounded by agricultural land and dramatic mountain scenery. The nougat and Christmas sweet industry are important traditional industries in Huelma. With a population of 6000, Huelma has a number of shops, bars and restaurants, a health centre and a high school. Situated in the mountains right in the south of the Jaén province, close to the border with the province of Granada, the road to Huelma is a very winding mountain road. Huelma is 50km from Jaén.
Bélmez de la Moraleda
Located in a large valley with a striking backdrop of limestone, the area around Bélmez is forested with oaks and pine trees. The ruins of Bélmez Castle make an interesting sight, as do the old farmhouses in the area. Bélmez has a population of 2000 and is located just off the A301 road, 17km south of Jódar.
The village of Cabra del Santo Cristo is nestled in the Sierra Mágina mountains. The remains of a castle can be visited near to Cabra. Cabra has 2200 inhabitants and is situated 11km from the A301 road on a winding mountain road.