Navas de San Juan: Discover Churches, Festivals and Landscapes

The Iglesia de San Juan Bautista dates back to the donation of the palatial Castillejo de los Benavides by Rodríguez de Benavides to the local parish priest in 1552. It dates from the mid-16th century, features construction phases spanning the 16th to the 18th centuries, and is characterised by Andalusian Mannerism.

If you are considering a holiday rental in Navas de San Juan, you can compare travel dates, room categories and cancellation policies on the relevant listing page and tailor the comparison to your travel dates and preferred type of accommodation.

Culture and History

The Ermita de la Virgen de la Estrella stands on a 13th-century Arab fortress. It has three naves and a Camarín featuring paintings by the artist Palma Burgos. Las Pilas is a public washhouse that already existed in 1804 and consists of two covered halls, each with two rows of washbasins.

La Minilla is an industrial chimney from the late 19th century that recalls a former factory. Olive mill pomace was processed there to extract oil and produce orujillo.

Festivals and Olive-Growing Culture

The Centro de Interpretación del Aceite y el Olivar offers interactive touchscreen applications, projections and video games. Following a comprehensive renovation, it reopened in March 2023 as a permanent exhibition on the agricultural heritage of Navas de San Juan.

The Romería de la Virgen de la Estrella, held annually from 1 to 3 May, takes place on the Llano de La Estrella. On 1 May, the pilgrimage includes a procession on foot from Navas de San Juan to the Ermita de la Virgen de la Estrella, with traditional romero clothing, decorated wagons, and participants travelling on foot and horseback.

Parks and Landscapes

Parque del Hondillo has a large children's play area, a zip line and a climbing wall. Mirador de los Calerines is a green area in the upper part of the municipality with benches, picnic tables and equipment for outdoor physical exercise.

Fuente del Rosal is a recreational area upgraded in 2013, with stone benches and tables; the Romería de San Isidro Labrador takes place there. The Olvera nature area on the Guadalimar River can be reached on foot or by car and combines a diverse ecosystem with archaeological remains.

Castles and Trails

Castillo de Torre Alver was built to monitor a secondary pass between Andalusia and La Mancha known as the Camino de Castellar de la Mata. The castle lies entirely within the municipality of Navas de San Juan, is in a ruinous state and is classified as an Asset of Cultural Interest.

A 34-kilometre trail through the heart of the Sierra Morena begins at the Ecoparque del Aceite y el Olivar and ends at the 13th-century Castillo de Torrealver. It can be travelled on foot, horseback or by car. Old gypsum quarries around 2 kilometres from the town centre can be visited and explored.

Near Navas de San Juan lies an 863-metre-high hill offering views over the municipality.

Regional Cuisine

Calandrajos is a stew reminiscent of gazpacho manchego, characterised by distinctive mint notes. Roscos de sartén are pastries made from a flour-based dough with hints of lemon or orange.

Other Places

Bailén, Begíjar, Baeza, Garcíez, Lopera, Hinojares, Peñolite, Sabiote

To the higher-level travel overview: Jaen.