Discover Noalejo: Nature, Culture and Trails

Noalejo combines Sierras, olive groves and karst landscapes with churches, crafts, popular devotion and regional cuisine.

Culture

An important cultural site is the Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de la Asunción. The single-nave church has a rectangular floor plan and belongs to the Mudéjar tradition; it was built between 1570 and 1575. Inside, it houses the painting of Noalejo’s patron saint, the Virgen de Belén, and also contains a 16th-century copy of the Turin Shroud.

At the Torre de la Atalaya del Rey Gallarín, the circular floor plan of the medieval watchtower is still visible. The lower rooms of the Mirador de la Puerta Nueva display handcrafted creative ceramics. La Platera particularly highlights the bobbin lace made by Gregoria Berjaga. The Fuente del Pilarillo, the focus of a traditional legend, was located on Calle Nava opposite the present-day pillar.

The Centro de Interpretación de “La Santería” explains the life and work of Custodio Pérez Aranda. Another historical trace is provided by the rock paintings: they are executed schematically, with three groups of figures seemingly depicting a communal dance scene led by a large anthropomorphic figure. They are dated to the Copper Age, approximately the middle of the 3rd millennium BC.

Nature

The landscape around Noalejo ranges from wooded Dehesa valleys to karst formations. Navalta and Navalconejo are Dehesa valleys surrounded by holm-oak and pine forests. In autumn, mushroom gatherers visit these areas because shaggy ink caps grow there.

At the summit of the Sierra de Alta Coloma lies a large sinkhole formed by underground cavities and the collapse of the terrain. The same Sierra contains caves with small bat populations. La Piedra Granaina is a mountain formation with the rocky outcrops of El Porrón and Los Castillejos; herds of mouflon can be spotted on its slopes.

The Paraje de Navalcán forms a karst depression with cliffs, caves, watercourses and Mediterranean flora and fauna. A small population of Montpellier maple grows in the Cañada del Toril; the species is classified as endangered in the Red Book. The Sierra del Trigo also offers wide-ranging views; it is an important mountain pass with panoramas of the surrounding mountain ranges.

Trails and Activities

For hikers, “Navalcán–Los Castillejos–Pinturas rupestres” is a named route starting from Navalcán. The Ruta del Santo Custodio leads to the Cueva del Santo Custodio, a site closely connected with Noalejo’s popular devotion. Along this route, panoramic views open up over the surrounding Sierras and the olive-grove landscape of Noalejo.

Cyclists can use “Noalejo–Hoya del Salobral–Noalejo”, a signposted mountain-bike route. The C1 Valdepeñas de Jaén–Noalejo–Campillo de Arenas cycling route reaches Noalejo after approximately 5.3 kilometres from Navalcán. On the C1, the area around Plaza de España is considered a suitable place to replenish supplies and adjust the route. The different trail types – hiking route, mountain-bike trail and cycling route – can be clearly distinguished when planning.

At Cerro de la Mesa, a municipal mountain hut allows hikers to stay overnight.

Festivals and Cuisine

The Fiestas Patronales de la Virgen de Belén usually take place over six days on the third weekend in August. As part of these festivities, the procession of the Virgen de Belén travels for four hours along Calle Real to her hermitage.

During the still-celebrated San Antón festival, bonfires are lit and songs are sung; homemade chorizos and morcillas are grilled over the embers. Sausages appreciated in Noalejo include chorizo, butifarra made from pig’s head and seasoned pork liver, and onion morcilla. The traditional Olla de San Antón is prepared with various parts of the pig.

Another local speciality is Cachorreñas noalejeñas, a hot soup made with water, vinegar, olive oil, garlic, salt, ground pepper and toasted bread.

Location

The elongated municipal area of Noalejo stretches across the border between the provinces of Jaén and Granada. The A-44 runs through Noalejo and is an important transport connection between Jaén and Granada.

Further destinations

Iznatoraf, Rus, Baños De La Encina, Arbuniel, Escañuela, Sabariego, La Carolina, Alcalá La Real

For the higher-level travel overview: Jaen.