Peal de Becerro – Holiday apartment between heritage and river route

Culture and history

With the Torre del Reloj, Peal de Becerro preserves a striking example of medieval architectural history. The tower was built at the end of the 14th century and is approximately twelve metres high. Its battlements have been preserved, while the interior is arranged over four levels; in 1985, the Torre del Reloj was declared a Bien de Interés Cultural. The Torre Mocha complements this historic setting with a footprint of approximately seven metres per side.

The Iglesia de la Encarnación is also part of the local architectural history: it was built in 1969 on the site of its vanished predecessor. Its rectangular floor plan has sawtooth-like breaks along the sides; the church contains iconographically designed stained-glass windows depicting human figures and saints.

Archaeological work in the municipality of Peal de Becerro at the Hipogeo del Cerrillo de la Compañía uncovered an Iberian burial mound dating back to the 6th century BC. In Toya, you can also find the Cámara Sepulcral de Toya, one of the few monuments that can be visited as it was left approximately 2,400 years ago.

Places and experiences

The Centro de Interpretación is located at C Josefa Santa María 4. It offers audiovisual materials and a guided tour about the culture that existed in this area thousands of years ago. A booking service for guided excursions is available in Peal de Becerro.

A distinctive aspect of the town can be seen at the municipal bolera, where competitions in bolo andaluz are held. The combination of engaging cultural interpretation and a regionally rooted competition makes the local offerings experienced in different ways, without reducing them to a single visitor theme.

Water, customs and cuisine

The Fuente de San Isidro, popularly known as the “Fuente de los cinco caños”, was built in 1850 and was the town’s only public drinking-water supply point until the second half of the 20th century. In 1982, its remains were installed in the centre of the square next to the pillar; there, they form an architectural ensemble of significant hydraulic-engineering value.

The Salinas del Marqués are also located in the municipality. They are no longer in operation but remain intact and preserve the same traditional production system as the saltworks of earlier times. Peal de Becerro’s Candelaria tradition includes decorated dough figures called “pajaritas”, which are reminiscent of the turtledoves that Mary offered in the Temple.

The San Marcos pilgrimage takes place in Toya on the last Sunday in April. During it, the saint’s image is immersed in the river as a symbol of purification for fields and livestock. In terms of food, a dish known elsewhere by the names andrajos, harapos, guiñapos or calandrajos is called “talarines” in Peal de Becerro. Gachamiga was traditionally served as a communal feast to the people who took part in the San Marcos pilgrimage to Toya.

Nature and routes

An approximately 21-kilometre route through the Paraje Natural Alto Guadalquivir y Puente de la Cerrada follows the river section through Peal de Becerro. It is suitable for hiking and cycling. Culture, local traditions and the river landscape offer different focal points that you can weigh separately when planning your trip.

A holiday apartment in Peal de Becerro can initially be compared on the listings page by travel dates, room category and cancellation conditions. For planning your visit, culture, local traditions and the river route can be considered as separate focal points.

More places

La Iruela, Quesada, Puente De Génave, Vilches, Arroyo Del Ojanco, Iznatoraf, La Guardia de Jaén, La Matea

For the higher-level travel overview: Jaen.