Discover Mengíbar: History, Rivers and Holiday Apartments

At the Centro de Interpretación Iliturgi, Mengíbar offers a tour of its Iberian-Roman history using three-dimensional visual and interactive technologies. The “La Torre” cultural and tourist information point also offers free guided tours of the historic centre.

History and Architecture

The Torre del Homenaje of the former castle is registered as a protected monument under the Bien de Interés Cultural designation; the protection listing dates from 25 June 1985. The tower has been restored and can be visited. The Torre de Mengíbar is the surviving tower of the former castle and reaches a height of approximately 25 metres; it includes vaulted rooms.

The Iglesia de San Pedro Apóstol stands in the historic centre as an architectural landmark of the Renaissance. Despite later alterations, it retains the character of the late 16th century and shows clear influences from Vandelvira, Francisco del Castillo “El Viejo” and Alonso Barba. The Arco de Jano was declared a Bien de Interés Cultural in 2019.

Archaeology and Ancient Traces

The Centro de Interpretación Iliturgi is located in the Casa Palacio. More than 50 archaeological pieces from Maquiz, the Roman city of Iliturgi, are displayed there. The exhibits date from the 1st century BC to the 4th or 5th century AD.

The exhibition presents archaeological finds, including documented remains of the siege and destruction of the city, as well as monumental remains of its fortifications. The Roman city of Iliturgi on Cerro Maquiz developed around the beginning of the Common Era into one of the largest cities in the upper Guadalquivir region and an important market for land and river trade. The centre’s content is connected with routes such as “Viaje al Tiempo de los Íberos” and the Routes of the Phoenicians.

Iliturgi had an aqueduct that supplied large cisterns, which are still visible today. In the south of the city there was also a paved square covering more than 1,000 square metres.

River Landscapes and Views

Within the municipality of Mengíbar, gallery forests line the Guadalquivir and its two tributaries, the Guadalbullón and the Guadalimar. Cerro Albariza is a natural viewpoint overlooking the Guadalquivir valley.

The Guadalbullón Delta near the Cañada Real de Torreblascopedro features lush riverside vegetation and botanical interest. The Arco de Jano, also known as “Ianus Augustus”, is located in the vicinity of Mengíbar, close to the Guadalquivir and the so-called “Camino de los Romanos”.

Festivals and Historical Memory

The Romería de “La Malena” takes place on the second Sunday in May in honour of the patron saint Santa María Magdalena. Pilgrims travel to the hermitage on foot, by carriage or on horseback.

On 3 May, Mengíbar celebrates the traditional Cruces de Mayo in honour of the Holy Cross. Residents decorate streets, squares and courtyards with handmade crosses. Since 2015, a historical theatrical reenactment on the third Saturday in November has also commemorated the episode of the funeral procession of Isabella I of Castile.

Olive Oil and Mediterranean Cuisine

The Museo Terra Oleum has a permanent exhibition with interactive modules, audiovisual media, machinery and 3D video mapping on olive cultivation, olive oil and sustainability. It also provides information about olive cultivation, olive oil production technology and Mediterranean gastronomy.

At the oleoteca of the Museo Terra Oleum, the olive oils presented there are sampled and tasted.

Getting There and Choosing a Location

Mengíbar has regular bus connections as well as a railway station called “La Artichuela”, with medium-distance services.

When choosing a holiday apartment in Mengíbar, listings can be compared based on travel dates, room category and cancellation policies. You can first consider the fields that are important for your trip and treat other information as secondary.

Other Places

Other places: El Almicerán, La Iruela, Friar, Puente De Génave, Quesada, Rus, Arjona, Torres De Albánchez

To the main travel overview: Jaen.