La Iruela: Castle, Nature and Historic Trails
The Circular Nacimiento del Guadalquivir cycling loop route begins and ends in La Iruela; it is 58.19 kilometres long.
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Culture
The streets of La Iruela’s historic centre follow the slope of the terrain and include cobbled paths, small squares and narrow stairways. The Conjunto Histórico de La Iruela is listed as a Bien de Interés Cultural in the category of Historic Site in the General Catalogue of Andalusian Historical Heritage.
The Castillo de La Iruela is a fortress of Almohad origin, built on a rugged rocky outcrop. In 1985, it was declared a Historic Monument. An auditorium is located between the Castillo and the rock, where artistic and cultural activities take place.
The Iglesia de Santo Domingo is a 16th-century Renaissance church in the walled area of the Castillo de La Iruela. A former Muslim gate next to the church was reused as a bell tower. The Casa Consistorial is a monument in the Toledan Mudéjar style dating from the late 15th century.
The washhouse of La Iruela is well preserved following its restoration, possibly dates from the 19th century and has 20 washboards. The Fuente del Molino was built in 1870; it owes its name to the water that once powered a mill.
The Centro de Interpretación Castillo de La Iruela offers visitors a didactic, technology-supported introduction to the history of La Iruela and to the town’s historical, cultural, natural and ethnological heritage.
Nature
La Iruela is one of the municipalities within the Parque Natural Sierras de Cazorla, Segura y Las Villas. In the Tejerina area near La Iruela, there is a deciduous forest with Portuguese oaks, Montpellier maples, service trees and wild pear trees.
The Paso del Aire viewpoint offers extensive views over the Guadalquivir Valley and the Sierra Campiña. The surrounding sheer cliffs provide opportunities to observe birds of prey at their nesting sites.
On the Casa Forestal de la Zarza hiking route, griffon vultures, wild boar, Spanish ibex, red deer and fallow deer can be observed. The route passes through La Iruela and Santo Tomé.
Hiking
The Camino de las Tres Fuentes is a signposted linear hiking trail in the municipality of La Iruela. It is 4.201 kilometres each way, takes approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes, and has a low difficulty level.
The trail passes through the public forest Grupo de Montes de Guadahornillos, owned by the Junta de AndalucĂa, and reaches the ruins of the Cortijo de la CaĂda and the Fuente Chaves spring.
The Arroyo FrĂo a Cerrada del Utrero trail is part of the “Rutas del Agua” group and follows the young Guadalquivir. It runs through riverside vegetation that provides shelter for birds and ends at a deep gorge carved by the Guadalquivir.
Food and Drink
The Tren TurĂstico La Iruela offers a guided tour through the town’s streets and historic centre. The guided tour ends with a tasting of regional products and a drink.
History
During the French invasion, La Iruela suffered attacks and fires; in one of these events in 1810, the building was severely damaged.
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