Cazorla: Castillo de la Yedra, River Trails and Nature Park

Castillo de la Yedra is an old defensive complex at an altitude of 831 metres, offering views of the town of Cazorla and its surroundings. Its origins may be Muslim and possibly date back to the Almohad period of the 12th century; Christians gave it its final form in the 13th, 14th and 15th centuries. The complex comprises three terraced areas: the Albacara, the middle area and the Alcazarejo.

Culture and History

The Museo de Artes y Costumbres Populares del Alto Guadalquivir is a state museum managed by the cultural authority of the Junta de Andalucía. Its Sala de Armas displays swords, crossbows, alfanjes, axes, two suits of armour, carved chests and other furniture from the 16th and 17th centuries.

The Iglesia de Santa María was built over the Río Cerezuelo and makes use of the vault covering the river. It is a Renaissance building; its design is attributed to Andrés de Vandelvira or one of his pupils. The Fuente de las Cadenas on the Plaza de Santa María was built in 1605. Restaurants on the Plaza de Santa María offer an insight into the local cuisine.

Nature

The Ruta del Río Cerezuelo starts at the Plaza de Santa María and runs past poplars, clear river pools and wooden bridges. Its circular variant is approximately 2.4 kilometres long. Visitors can walk through the interior of the Bóveda del Río Cerezuelo beneath the church and the Plaza de Santa María.

The first stage of the GR 247.3 variant begins in Cazorla at the Río Cerezuelo, near the Plaza de Santa María. The Ruta hacia Gilillo also starts at the Plaza de Santa María and follows the Ruta del Río Cerezuelo and the GR247 trails. The ascent to Gilillo leads from an altitude of 806 to 1,748 metres and passes through dense pine forests. For the accessible routes, the starting point is near the Paseo del Río Cerezuelo at the Cazorla fairgrounds; its entrance is fully accessible. The approximate circular length of the Cerezuelo variant and the elevation figures at Gilillo make different hiking formats comparable.

Nature Park and Knowledge

The Casa de La Luz in the Centro Temático Frondosa Naturaleza is an interpretation centre focusing on the landscapes, fauna, flora, routes, history, ethnology and culture of Cazorla and its nature park. The Centro Temático Frondosa Naturaleza also includes the Museo del Molino Harinero in a restored old mill.

The Bajo Tus Pies exhibition explores the formation of the mountains as well as the formation, transformation and dissolution of caves. The Parque Natural Sierras de Cazorla, Segura y Las Villas extends across 23 municipalities and includes dense pine forests as well as species such as the violeta de Cazorla, the Lagartija de Valverde, the Iberian ibex, deer and wild boar.

Events

The origins of the Festival de Teatro de Cazorla date back to 1996. The Festival Internacional de Teatro de Cazorla is designed as a cultural offering for visitors to Cazorla and the nature park in autumn.

Holiday Apartment in Cazorla

When choosing a holiday apartment in Cazorla, you can compare travel dates, room categories and cancellation policies on listing pages. The topics range from the defensive complex and the Renaissance building to river trails, the nature park, cuisine and autumn theatre.

Further destinations: Arjona, Lopera, Fuensanta De Martos, Bedmar, Jaén, La Guardia de Jaén, Beas De Segura, Torreperogil

To the higher-level travel overview: Jaen.