Huelma: Old Town, Castle and Sierra Mágina

Culture and History

The historic old town of Huelma, with its white houses, lies below the remains of the castle and was designated a historic-artistic ensemble in 1971.

The Church of the Immaculate Conception in Huelma, built in the 16th century, is a notable example of the sacred architecture of the period and is designated as a Bien de Interés Cultural. Under the direction of Diego de Siloe, Francisco del Castillo el Viejo, Andrés de Vandelvira and Francisco del Castillo, el Mozo, contributed to the construction of the Church of the Immaculate Conception.

Huelma Castle, also known as Alburquerque Castle, was probably built in the first half of the 16th century on the site of an earlier Muslim castle. Remains of the walls and the large cistern inside have survived from the earlier castle. Alburquerque Castle has a square ground plan, four cylindrical towers at the corners, connecting stretches of wall and an entrance with a round arch. The names Huelma Castle and Alburquerque Castle refer to the same castle complex.

The Cortijo Pajarillo archaeological site is an Iberian site dating from the 4th century BC.

The Santuario de Ntra. Sra. de la Fuensanta is located at Pago de la Virgen on the A-324 towards Cambil, within the municipality of Huelma. Holy Week in Huelma includes a procession with tronos. The specific date in the festival calendar for the Fiestas de la Virgen de la Fuensanta celebrated in Huelma is 2 May.

Nature and Trails

The northern third of the municipality of Huelma lies within Sierra Mágina Natural Park. The Jandulilla River crosses a large part of the municipality of Huelma from south to north, dividing it into two approximately equal areas.

The mountain route to Pico Mágina and the nearby Pico Miramundos is challenging. It leads to Pico Mágina and the nearby Pico Miramundos and lies in the heart of Sierra Mágina Natural Park. The route reaches Pico Mágina, at 2,167 metres the highest point in the province of Jaén. Its course combines an initial section on a forest track with a final section on a high-alpine mountain trail.

An overnight stay in Huelma can be planned as part of a personal trip through Andalusia, with hotels as the accommodation option. The stay can be incorporated into your own travel plans and remain open to the chosen duration, order and focus of the trip, as well as your individual pace while travelling.

More destinations

More destinations: Torres De Albánchez, Vites, El Parralejo, Cazorla, Santa Elena, Bélmez De La Moraleda, Bedmar, La Puerta De Segura

Events

Huelma is a stop on the tourist product “Viaje al tiempo de los íberos”.

EXPOHUELMA is an annual event on Huelma’s calendar and, as the Sierra Mágina Natural Park trade fair, brings together numerous exhibitors and visitors.

To the main travel overview: Jaen.