Navas de San Juan: Church, Romería and Sierra Morena

The Iglesia de San Juan Bautista dates back to the donation of a palatial Castillejo de los Benavides by Rodríguez de Benavides to the local parish priest in 1552.

Culture and history

The church was built in the mid-16th century and features construction phases spanning from the 16th to the 18th century. The Iglesia de San Juan Bautista is characterised by Andalusian Mannerism.

Las Pilas is a public washhouse that already existed in 1804 and consists of two covered halls, each with two rows of wash basins. La Minilla is an industrial chimney from the late 19th century that recalls a former factory where olive-mill pomace was processed to extract oil and orujillo.

Festivals and leisure

The Centro de Interpretación del Aceite y el Olivar offers interactive touchscreen applications, projections and video games. In March 2023, it reopened after extensive renovation as a permanent exhibition on the agricultural heritage of Navas de San Juan.

The Romería de la Virgen de la Estrella, held annually from 1 to 3 May, is celebrated on the Llano de La Estrella. On 1 May, the pilgrimage includes a walking procession from Navas de San Juan to the Ermita de la Virgen de la Estrella, with traditional Romero clothing, decorated floats, and participants on foot and on horseback.

The Ermita de la Virgen de la Estrella stands on a 13th-century Arab fortress. It has three naves and a camarín with paintings by the artist Palma Burgos.

The Parque del Hondillo has a large children's play area, a zip line and a climbing wall. The Mirador de los Calerines is a green space in the upper part of the municipality with benches, picnic tables and equipment for outdoor exercise.

Nature and trails

Fuente del Rosal is a recreational area upgraded in 2013 with stone benches and tables; the Romería de San Isidro Labrador takes place there. The Olvera nature area on the Guadalimar River can be reached on foot or by car and combines a diverse ecosystem with archaeological remains.

Castillo de Torre Alver was built to monitor a secondary pass between Andalusia and La Mancha, known as the Camino de Castellar de la Mata. Castillo de Torre Alver lies entirely within the municipality of Navas de San Juan. It is in a ruinous condition and is classified as an Asset of Cultural Interest.

A 34-kilometre route through the heart of the Sierra Morena begins at the Ecoparque del Aceite y el Olivar and ends at the 13th-century Castillo de Torrealver; it can be travelled on foot, on horseback or by car.

Old gypsum quarries about 2 kilometres from the town centre can be visited and explored. A 863-metre-high hill near Navas de San Juan offers views over the municipality of Navas de San Juan.

Local cuisine

Calandrajos is a stew reminiscent of gazpacho manchego, characterised by distinctive notes of mint. Roscos de sartén are pastries made from a flour-based dough with notes of lemon or orange.

More destinations

Discover more: Pegalajar, El Almicerán, Sabariego, Fuensanta De Martos, Baeza, La Iruela, Puente De Génave, Jaén

To the overarching travel overview: Jaen.