North of Jódar lies the Alto Guadalquivir natural area. Covering 663 hectares, it includes the three reservoirs of Pedro Marín, Doña Aldonza and Puente de La Cerrada, as well as the stretch of river between them. It can be reached from Jódar via Regional Road 325.
Nature
The Alto Guadalquivir is home to species including purple herons, grey herons, western marsh harriers, little bitterns and penduline tits. Las Quebrás contains the largest remaining area of esparto steppe on the plain in the province of Jaén. The area also provides a habitat for wildlife such as the black-bellied sandgrouse, a species considered very rare in Andalusia.
The Fuente Garciez site lies north of the town and can be reached via a paved road more than two kilometres from Jódar town centre. It is a pine-dominated recreation area with a washhouse, spring, picnic areas and cooking facilities. A traditional romería is celebrated at Fuente Garciez on 15 May.
Pilar de la Dehesa is a spring and a place visited by locals at the foot of the Sierra de Miramontes. The path rising from there offers views of Jódar, the Guadalquivir Valley and La Loma. In the centre of Jódar, the Huerto de la Cora preserves more than 400 species of recovered seeds and plants.
Culture
The Museo de Jódar features permanent exhibitions on Jódar through the ages and its history, folk art and everyday customs, as well as esparto craftsmanship, traditional occupations and olive growing. Guided tours are offered by its own association; admission is free. Several craft workshops in Jódar produce esparto goods, including esparto beach parasols.
Jódar's Semana Santa dates back to the 16th century. This important local festival includes processions, music and religious sculpture. In the area of the Jódar-Úbeda railway station, the Fábrica de Harinas is an example of industrial archaeology.
The historic-artistic ensemble of Jódar has been protected as a Bien de Interés Cultural of Andalusia since 2014. The Iglesia de la Asunción has a classical-Renaissance façade, a Latin-cross floor plan and side chapels between the buttresses. The present church was built on the site of an earlier church, which in turn stood above Jódar's main mosque.
The two towers of the Castillo de Jódar have been restored; since 1985, the fortress has been designated a historic monument under the protection of the Bien de Interés Cultural. The Castillo preserves two almost square keeps: one of Arab origin and one built by the Christians. The southern tower houses the visitor centre of the Sierra Mágina Natural Park, which presents the park's landscape, wildlife and flora with interactive information panels. One of the towers also houses the “Xodar” Interpretation Centre on the history of the castle.
Trails and Views
The Camino del Portillo forms part of the GR-7, an international long-distance hiking trail, and is also a local hiking route west of Jódar along the Serrezuela. Its end offers a view of the Sierra Mágina. The Senderismo El Pocico hiking route is 7 km long in total and includes a linear section followed by a final circular section.
Senderismo El Pocico starts at Plaza de España, passes the Iglesia de la Asunción and the Castillo de Jódar, and reaches the Mirador de Trascastillo. The route offers views of the Parque Natural de Cazorla, Segura y Las Villas and the Guadalquivir Valley. Different trail types and lengths can thus be compared when planning your day individually.
In Los Pinares, visitors can explore caves grouped together as a troglodytic settlement. Los Pinares also includes a recreation area called La Cueva de Jeromillo, which is today incorrectly also called “Miguelico”, and is home to important archaeological sites. The ruins of several grain mills, including the Molino de Marcón, can be found along the Vía Verde “El Paso” and in the Barranco del Cañaveral.
Routes and Local History
The Ruta Antigua estación FFCC de Jódar connects La Loma de Úbeda and the Guadalquivir with the Sierra Mágina area. Jódar is also included in the Nasrid Route between Baeza and Jimena. The Museo de arte naif “Brilop” preserves the artistic legacy of Blas T. Rivera López.
Further destinations:Peñolite, Pozo Alcón, Sabiote, Mancha Real, Torres De Albánchez, Villanueva Del Arzobispo, Orcera, Ribera Baja
