Begíjar: History, Culture and Vía Verde

Begíjar has a designated historic area that is protected as a Bien de Interés Cultural in the category of Conjunto Histórico.

The protected historic ensemble of Begíjar preserves the town’s original urban structure in good condition.

Culture

One of the significant buildings within Begíjar’s protected historic ensemble is the Iglesia de Santiago Apóstol.

The Iglesia de Santiago Apóstol was built from the 13th to the 17th century.

It has a late-16th-century portal with grotesque decoration, medallions of San Pedro and San Pablo, a bishop’s coat of arms and a relief of Santiago.

The Iglesia de Santiago Apóstol also contains a Baroque Camarín for Cristo de la Vera Cruz.

The Palacio Episcopal is a Renaissance building and was recognized as a Bien de Interés Cultural in 1985.

It preserves its former rooms as well as a medieval garden with its original irrigation system.

Throughout its history, the Palacio Episcopal hosted, among others, Felipe II and Miguel de Cervantes y Saavedra as honorary guests.

The Museo de Artes y Costumbres Populares de Begíjar provides a comprehensive overview of the town’s history and ethnology.

It displays traditional occupations, an 18th-century loom and historic textiles made of linen, wool and silk.

The museum has a reference library specializing in anthropology and Andalusian ethnography.

Other places in this selection are Porcuna, La Hueta, Aldeaquemada, Iznatoraf, Sabiote, El Parralejo, Mancha Real and Huesa.

History

Puente del Obispo Romano consists of four unequal sandstone barrel vaults and has a square tower.

The tower of Puente del Obispo Romano contains a chapel that is accessible from the bridge’s roadway.

Puente del Obispo Romano is one of the earliest bridges of the Spanish Renaissance.

The Torre del homenaje is the keep of Begíjar’s former castle.

The second floor of the keep of Begíjar’s former castle has eight brick ribs over four pointed squinches.

The keep of Begíjar’s former castle was catalogued as a Bien de Interés Cultural in 1985.

Nature

The Vía Verde del Guadalimar is a 15.3-kilometre route between Ibros and Begíjar.

Cycling and walking are permitted on the Vía Verde del Guadalimar; motor vehicles are not permitted except for maintenance work and emergencies.

The Vía Verde del Guadalimar runs along the Guadalimar River through an olive-growing landscape typical of the Campiña of Jaén.

Cuisine

Lomo de orza is a traditional dish from Begíjar: pork is marinated with garlic, oregano, paprika, salt and cloves, then fried in extra virgin olive oil.

Events

The Fiestas Santiago Apóstol are Begíjar’s patron saint festivities and take place on 25 July, with morning competitions and an evening Verbena.

The Concurso de Altares Corpus Christi is announced in Begíjar as a traditional local cultural event.

To the overarching travel overview: Jaen.