La Guardia de Jaén: History, Nature and Local Cuisine

History and Squares

The Plaza Isabel II was founded in 1566 by the first Marquis of La Guardia, Gonzalo Messía Carrillo de Fonseca. It is largely the work of Francisco del Castillo “el Mozo”.

Today, the Plaza Isabel II is divided into two squares by Calle Mesón. The lower square is home to the Casa solariega de Piedra from 1833 and the Pilar de los cinco caños.

The church of the former Dominican monastery of Santo Domingo de La Guardia is the best-preserved building of the monastery. Its construction dates from the 16th century and is dated to 1530.

The Renaissance section of this church has been attributed to Andrés de Vandelvira. It comprises 46 coffers. Each coffer depicts a religious figure with a symbolic scene from their life.

Culture and Traditions

The restored Lavadero Público de la II República can be visited. It displays contemporary household objects. The first floor also houses the Fuente Lavadero Museum and exhibition room.

The Canto de la Aurora is an old religious tradition in La Guardia. It remains deeply rooted there to this day. As part of this tradition, songs are used to call people to pray the Rosary.

Guided tours of the historic and art-historical monuments of La Guardia de Jaén are available by prior reservation through the town hall.

The pilgrimage held in honor of the patron saint of La Guardia has a history of more than four hundred years. It takes place in the Allanadas del Santo natural area.

Local Cuisine

The local cuisine includes Guiñapos. Guiñapos is a stew made with wheat flatbreads, shellfish, anchovies, meat and various vegetables.

Bollo de calabaza is also part of the local cuisine. It is prepared with roasted pumpkin, paprika and sugar.

Other direct destinations include Villacarrillo, Chilluévar, Torre Del Campo, Cazalilla, Alcaudete, Quesada, Arroyo Del Ojanco and Solera.

Trails and Nature

The Ruta de los Nazaríes passes through La Guardia de Jaén. It then continues over mountains and passes towards Cambil and Huelma.

The Sendero del Cerro San Cristóbal is a representative hiking trail. It begins and ends in the municipality of La Guardia de Jaén.

A hiking route begins at a square next to the Justo Pérez Ecopark. After a 1 km section along the road, the route reaches the trailhead in the Barranco Hondo.

On the flat summit of Cerro de San Cristóbal, visitors can walk among pine trees. Its northern and southern slopes serve as natural viewpoints.

Reforested pines, shrubs and aromatic plants grow on the upper slopes and summit.

The Torre del Homenaje offers views of the Sierra Mágina, Sierra Morena and the fields of La Loma.

The C2 is a circular route of approximately 62 km. It follows mountain roads to La Guardia.

To the main travel overview: Jaen.