Bélmez de la Moraleda: Castle, Festivals and Mountain Landscape

Culture and History

Castillo de Bélmez became one of the Nasrid border fortresses before it could finally be conquered by troops from Baeza around the middle of the 15th century.

Castillo de Bélmez has been protected as a Site of Cultural Interest since 1985. The preserved historic centrepiece of Castillo de Bélmez is the keep, a rectangular building that was probably originally three storeys high. The reference to three presumed storeys therefore applies to the keep, which forms the preserved historic centrepiece of the complex.

The cylindrical Torre del Lucero is located near the town and was used to monitor the southwestern route to Huelma. In addition to its cylindrical shape, the direction it monitored has also been documented.

Torre del Sol is also known as Torre de Bélmez. The round rubble-stone tower features similar vaulted forms and served to monitor the southeast. The second name refers to the same tower and supplements its architectural description with the local name.

Landscape and Nature

The Barranco del Arroyo Gargantón combines mountain vegetation with rocky cliffs. This vegetation includes hawthorn and Spanish broom stands. The rocky cliffs provide refuge for various bird species, including Alpine swifts, black wheatears and kestrels. In this description, the landscape, plants and the bird species mentioned are all associated with the Barranco.

The Cuevas del Chato y Baltibañas are located in a Mediterranean mountain landscape with high-quality geological and geomorphological formations. They are suitable only for experienced cavers. The name of the caves therefore refers, together with the geological and geomorphological formations, to a clearly defined part of the local mountain landscape.

Festivals and Cuisine

The Fiestas de Moros y Cristianos take place in Bélmez de la Moraleda from 20 to 22 August. They include two days of performances of the “Relaciones”. The stated period covers three festival days, while the performances of the “Relaciones” take place over two days.

As part of the August festivals in honour of Nuestro Señor de la Vida, a competition is held to prepare migas. The competition reflects the dish’s traditional significance in the area. Migas is therefore documented both as a prepared dish and in connection with a local competition.

Andrajos con liebre is part of the cuisine of Bélmez de la Moraleda and is also prepared there with anchovies. Choto al ajillo is considered a star dish of the local cuisine. The two dishes are associated with different details: the preparation of Andrajos con liebre with anchovies is specified, while Choto al ajillo is described as a star dish.

Further Insights

The Centro de Interpretación de las Caras de Bélmez guides visitors through the history of the phenomenon using audiovisual and graphic materials. The topics covered include media documentation of the phenomenon, relevant publications, and various theories and hypotheses. The exhibition topics therefore range from media documentation and publications to theories and hypotheses.

The C6 cycling route begins at Plaza Nueva in Bélmez de la Moraleda. The named starting point is therefore located at a specific square within the town.

More Destinations

More travel destinations: Cuevas De Ambrosio, Andújar, Vites, Santa Elena, La Carolina, Castillo De Locubín, La Carrasca, Segura De La Sierra

To the higher-level travel overview: Jaen.