Bedmar: Castles, PALEOMÁGINA and Nature

The Romería de la Virgen de Cuadros takes place in Bedmar on the last Sunday of October; it has been celebrated since the 16th century.

Culture

PALEOMÁGINA is a public institution for prehistoric research in Bedmar. PALEOMÁGINA offers popular science lectures as well as temporary and permanent museum exhibitions on human origins, everyday life in prehistory and archaeological work.

The Castillo Nuevo de Bedmar was declared a Bien de Interés Cultural in 1985. Its construction began in 1411 under the direction of the Order of Santiago. The fortress was adapted to the defensive requirements of the age of artillery.

The Castillo Viejo de Bedmar was also declared a Bien de Interés Cultural in 1985. The surviving remains recall Bedmar’s strategic role in the Middle Ages in defending the Guadalquivir Valley and protecting Baeza from the Nasrid Kingdom of Granada.

The parish church of Nuestra Señora de la Asunción has a Gothic choir and a Gothic transept. Its structure also includes three Renaissance naves. The tower is octagonal in its second section. The parish church contains two 18th-century pulpits and a 16th-century baptismal font.

Activities

The Al-Manzur Via Ferrata is located in the Serrezuela de Bedmar at the foot of Castillo Nuevo. It includes vertical sections and a protected ridge. There is also a more demanding K4 cable section. The Al-Manzur Via Ferrata includes a zip line. It is 65 metres long.

The Sendero Mar de Olivos Sierra Mágina begins in the Parque de la Pililla in Bedmar. The route follows the Camino de Cuadros through mountain olive groves to the Santuario de Nuestra Señora de Cuadros.

Beyond its artistic and monumental value, the Santuario de la Virgen de Cuadros is significant for processions and pilgrimages.

You can park your car at the Adelfar de Cuadros recreation area. From there, the Sendero Caño del Aguadero can be started via the main path.

The Mirador del Torreón de Cuadros can be reached directly via the JV-3.222 road. The viewpoint can also be reached via the signposted Las Viñas hiking trail.

Other places in this travel portal are Las Escuelas, Chilluévar, Castillo De Locubín, Campillo De Arenas, El Parralejo, Peñolite, Santisteban Del Puerto and Sabariego.

Nature

The Mirador del Torreón de Cuadros is located in the surroundings of Bedmar. The watchtower of Arab origin has been converted into a viewpoint and offers views over part of the Sierra Mágina Natural Park.

The Adelfar del río Cuadros is a natural gallery forest. It is considered likely to be one of the largest and most significant gallery forests on the Iberian Peninsula.

The natural area is characterised by extensive stands of esparto grass. These stands provide the raw material for one of the most important craft traditions in the comarca.

The Nacimiento del Río Cuadros is known as the Senda de los Adelfares. It is a gallery forest formed by oleanders along the Río Cuadros headwaters.

Cuisine

Traditional dishes associated with Bedmar y Garcíez include espinacas guisadas, espárragos en salsa and andrajos.

To the main travel overview: Jaen.