Campillo de Arenas – Nature, Culture and Cuisine

The Sierra de Campillo, also known as the Sierra de Alta Coloma, is a Mediterranean mountain area with geological and plant formations of great value. Its plant formations include holm oaks, oaks, junipers and Spanish junipers.

Nature and Trails

At the Desfiladero de Puerta Arenas, there is an educational trail dedicated to the local botany.

The Área Recreativa de Puerta de Arenas offers birdwatching, a botanical garden and hiking opportunities. The area also includes a picnic area and a recreational area.

La Peñuela is a picnic and recreational area near the town centre. This facility includes a viewpoint, shaded areas and a spring.

The Sierra de Campillo can be reached by off-road vehicle, bicycle or on foot via the JV-2.228. Agricultural and forestry tracks lead directly out of the town.

Culture and History

The Ermita de Santa Lucía has a richly decorated wooden ceiling. Its main altar bears an image of the saint.

The flooring and plinth are made of high-quality materials; two lamps are made of wrought iron.

The Ermita de Santa Lucía was built in 1858 after the faithful had collected donations for several years. Travellers stopped at an image near the old tunnel to pray.

Construction of the Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de la Encarnación began at the end of the 16th century on the site of a small chapel. This chapel was dedicated to the Blessed Sacrament.

A rock fortress of Arab origin stands on Cerro del Castillo. It belonged to the Nasrid Kingdom of Granada for many centuries, until it was conquered by the Catholic Monarchs in 1486.

Festivals and Traditions

The main festivities in honour of Campillo de Arenas’s patron saint take place on the second weekend of August in honour of the Virgen de la Cabeza and include staged battles between Moors and Christians.

The celebrations include Campanilleros. On Saturday night, they sing the traditional “coplas de la Aurora” with bells, guitars and bandurrias and invite people to take part in the Holy Rosary.

More Destinations

More destinations: Las Casillas, Ventas del Carrizal, Jódar, Garcíez, Huesa, Huelma, Marmolejo and Alcalá La Real.

Cuisine

Traditional cuisine in Campillo de Arenas includes a chickpea stew with bacon and other pork ingredients.

The local culinary repertoire also includes “ardoría” gazpacho made with olive oil, garlic, salt, vinegar and breadcrumbs.

A stew made with white beans, chickpeas and cod is a typical dish during Holy Week.

Campillo de Arenas has a strong tradition of producing pork products.

These include various types of chorizo, particularly one made with mutton or goat meat.

There are also blood sausages and longanizas, which are called salchichas there. Lomo is usually prepared with garlic.

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