La Carolina: Sierra Morena, Nature and History

La Carolina lies at the foot of the Sierra Morena and on the borders of Despeñaperros Nature Park. The landscape includes rugged mountains and expansive dehesas where birds of prey can be observed. Part of the municipality of La Carolina lies within Despeñaperros Nature Park.

When planning your visit, nature observation and historical and cultural sites can be considered as separate focal points.

History and Culture

The Church of the Immaculate Conception was built as the church of the La Peñuela Carmelite convent; it was later expanded to serve as the parish church of the newly established population.

The Palacio del Intendente Olavide was built in 1775 in the Neoclassical style as the residence of Pedro Olavide. The Museo de La Carolina is housed within the Palacio del Intendente Olavide and offers opportunities to learn about the town’s culture, history and research. It traces the history of the area chronologically, from the first human traces dating back to the Palaeolithic to almost the present day, highlighting Hispano-Roman mining, the establishment and development of the New Settlements as a colonisation project under Charles III, and the intensive modern mining activity that ended at the end of the last century.

The Torres de la Aduana are Neoclassical customs towers dating from the 18th century. They were relocated in 1792 to protect the northern entrance to the town.

The Castillo de Navas de Tolosa is a small hilltop fortification with a walled area and a hexagonal tower. It belonged to the fortresses built to protect the Puerto del Muradal and was captured by Castilian troops in July 1212 in connection with the Battle of Navas de Tolosa.

For different interests, the museum and buildings on the one hand, and the mountains, dehesas and birds of prey on the other, can be arranged as separate focal points.

Getting There and Transport Links

La Carolina is located at the entrance to Andalusia, at the Despeñaperros Pass, directly on the A-IV E5 motorway, and can be reached via exits 266 (north), 268 (centre) and 270 (south).

La Carolina has a bus station and regular services such as the Madrid–Córdoba–Seville route, as well as interprovincial lines to Jaén, Linares, Bailén, Úbeda and Baeza.

When searching for a holiday apartment in La Carolina, compare the travel dates, room category and cancellation policies on the respective offer pages. Such a comparison makes your personal priorities regarding travel dates and flexibility clear, while keeping the distinctive features of the destination at the centre. The distinctive features of La Carolina can be kept as separate points of reference: the natural environment, architectural heritage, museum, transport links and the scheduled date of the Fiestas stand alongside one another and can be weighted differently depending on your travel plans.

Other places:Torre Del Campo, Los Villares, Hornos, Lopera, Ribera Baja, Orcera, Pozo Alcón, Sabiote

Traditions

The Fiestas de la Fundación take place from 3 to 5 July and include, among other events, the reading of the Fuero and a tribute to a colonist.

For the overarching travel overview: Jaen.