Baños de la Encina – Castle, Rumblar and Holiday Apartments

Baños de la Encina displays its historic character particularly clearly in the historic centre, which was designated a historic-artistic ensemble and placed under protection in 1969. Castillo de Burgalimar was completed in 968 on the orders of Caliph al-Hakam. Its fourteen towers have approximately square floor plans; originally there may have been fifteen if the last one was replaced in the 15th century by the large keep that exists today.

Other town pages in this overview: Ribera Baja, Pegalajar, Vites, Puente De Génave, Begíjar, La Hueta, Hinojares and Cazorla.

Culture

The parish church of Iglesia de San Mateo was built in the last third of the 15th century with a Gothic nave; its main portal was designed in the Mannerist style in 1576.

La Candelaria is celebrated on 2 February with large bonfires made from olive-tree prunings.

During the Roman period, Cerrillo del Plomo was one of the most productive mines and one of Spain’s most significant sites for the extraction of galena.

An alternative route of the Sendero Del Bronce leads to Fortín de Migaldías, a territorial control fort associated with the basin’s mining activity during the Bronze Age. Along its route through Baños de la Encina, the Camino “Romano”, also known as Real del Puerto del Rey, preserves more than 200 metres of a paved road as well as a small stone bridge.

Nature

The municipal area of Baños de la Encina is included in the Sierra de Andújar Natural Park.

The Geosendero de la Pizarrilla begins near the football pitch in the centre of Baños de la Encina and leads into the Dehesa del Santo Cristo public woodland within the LIC Cuencas del Rumblar, Guadalén y Guadalmena (ES 6160008). It has a circular section along the town centre as well as a branch offering views of the Embalse del Rumblar.

Part of the Sendero Del Bronce runs alongside the Embalse del Rumblar and offers views of its waters.

Things to do

The Sendero El Rumblar leads from the Embalse del Rumblar and the settlement of Colonia del Rumblar to Los Escoriales. It passes through wooded landscapes, landscapes shaped by dryland farming and olive cultivation, as well as dehesa landscapes.

The route begins next to the dam of the Embalse del Rumblar; from Baños de la Encina, access is via the JH-5044 to the dam.

Kayak tours are offered on the Embalse del Rumblar. A guided hike of just under 3 km to Peñalosa follows the Vereda de las Aguas parallel to the Embalse del Rumblar.

A cultural and gastronomic route includes a guided visit and a tasting menu.

Sightseeing

The municipal tourist information office of Baños de la Encina organises visits to Baños de la Encina and its old town, monumental and experiential visits, hiking and archaeological routes, canoe trips on the Rumblar, as well as evening and theatrical visits.

The Museo del Territorio occupies the two upper floors of the municipal tourist information building; it is accessible by lift or stairs.

The permanent exhibition “Historias al viento”, designed by José María Cantarero, explores types of windmills and their development, the connection between Baños de la Encina and the mills, as well as work related to grain, and presents routes in the surrounding area.

To the overarching travel overview: Jaen.