Baños de la Encina: Burgalimar Castle and Trails by the Rumblar Reservoir

Culture and History

The historic center of Baños de la Encina was declared a Historic-Artistic Site in 1969.

The parish church of Iglesia de San Mateo was built in the last third of the 15th century with a Gothic nave. Its main portal was designed in the Mannerist style in 1576.

Castillo de Burgalimar has fourteen towers with an approximately square layout. Originally, there may have been fifteen if the last one was replaced in the 15th century by the large keep that stands today. The castle was completed in 968 on the orders of Caliph al-Hakam.

The permanent exhibition “Historias al viento” was designed by José María Cantarero. It explores types of windmills and their development, the connection between Baños de la Encina and the mills, and work related to grain, and presents routes in the area surrounding the town.

The Museo del Territorio occupies the two upper floors of the municipal tourist information building. The museum can be accessed by elevator or stairs.

La Candelaria is celebrated on February 2 with large bonfires made from olive-tree prunings.

Nature

The municipality of Baños de la Encina lies within the Sierra de Andújar Natural Park.

The “Romano” trail, also known as Real del Puerto del Rey, preserves more than 200 meters of paved road and a small stone bridge along its route through Baños de la Encina.

The Geosendero de la Pizarrilla has a circular section along the town center of Baños de la Encina, as well as a branch offering views of the Rumblar Reservoir.

The Geosendero de la Pizarrilla begins near the football pitch in the town center of Baños de la Encina and leads into the Dehesa del Santo Cristo public forest within the LIC Cuencas del Rumblar, Guadalén y Guadalmena (ES 6160008).

The Sendero Del Bronce borders the Rumblar Reservoir along part of its route and offers views of its waters.

An alternative route of the Sendero Del Bronce leads to Fortín de Migaldías, a territorial control fort associated with mining in the basin during the Bronze Age.

The Sendero El Rumblar leads from the Rumblar Reservoir and the Colonia del Rumblar settlement to Los Escoriales.

Along its route, the Sendero El Rumblar passes through forest landscapes, dry-farming areas, olive-growing landscapes and dehesa landscapes.

The Sendero El Rumblar begins next to the Rumblar Reservoir dam; from Baños de la Encina, access is via the JH-5044 to the dam.

During the Roman period, Cerrillo del Plomo was one of the most productive mines and one of Spain’s most important sites for the extraction of galena.

More destinations

Discover more destinations at Cazorla, Orcera, Navas de San Juan, Garcíez, Arroyo Del Ojanco, Porcuna, Cárcheles and Lopera.

Water and Experiences

Kayak tours are offered on the Rumblar Reservoir in Baños de la Encina.

A guided hike of just under 3 km to Peñalosa follows the Vereda de las Aguas trail parallel to the Rumblar Reservoir.

A cultural and gastronomic route includes a guided visit and a tasting menu.

The municipal tourist information office of Baños de la Encina organizes visits to Baños de la Encina and its old town, as well as monumental and experiential visits. It also organizes hiking and archaeological routes, canoe trips on the Rumblar, and nighttime and theatrical visits.

For the higher-level travel overview: Jaen.