Santiago de Calatrava: Landscape, Buildings and Festivals

Landscape

The landscape of Santiago de Calatrava is characterised by a succession of hills. The hills are low, gently rolling and covered with olive groves. The landscape combines open slopes with the wooded area of the Paraje del Caño. This place is located at a spring. This spring irrigates fields and orchards. The Ermita de la Virgen de la Cabeza is also located in the Paraje del Caño. Old olive tree trunks provide refuge for numerous birds, mammals and reptiles. Between the olive groves, the spring area and the wooded sections, the agriculturally shaped surroundings appear in different forms. The landscapes of the Campiña are associated with the observation of steppe birds.

Other places in this selection are Bélmez De La Moraleda, Iznatoraf, Jaén, Baeza, Canena, Chilluévar, Villacarrillo and Alcalá La Real.

Culture

The Plaza de la Iglesia is situated on elevated ground. It stands above its surroundings. A wrought-iron balustrade encloses the square. A stone fountain stands at the corner of the Plaza de la Iglesia. It bears the emblem of the Order of Calatrava. The location of the square and the balustrade give it a clearly defined architectural form, while the fountain makes its connection with the Order of Calatrava visible.

The Iglesia Parroquial Virgen de la Estrella was built in 1723. It was reconstructed in 1940. Its nave has a single aisle. The Cámara Agraria consists of a ground floor. Above it are two upper floors. It has rectangular openings and balconies.

El Pósito is an important 18th-century building. It formerly served as a prison, grain store and health centre.

The buildings and squares preserve different forms: the church has a single-aisle nave, the Cámara Agraria extends over three floors, and the Pósito represents several former municipal uses. The architectural details range from the wrought-iron balustrade to the rectangular openings and balconies.

Festivals

The San Isidro pilgrimage takes place on the second Saturday in May in the Paraje El Caño. This pilgrimage has been celebrated there since the 1940s. At the San Isidro pilgrimage, those present are offered wine, soft drinks and pork products.

The festival of San Sebastián on 20 January includes a solemn procession and the veneration of a relic of the saint. On 25 July, Santiago de Calatrava holds the Ferias y Fiestas in honour of the Apostle Santiago.

Cuisine

Relleno or Mondongo is a typical dish. It belongs to the end of the carnival season. Gachas dulces is a dish with Moorish influences. It is prepared for All Saints' Day. Potajes de bacalao are eaten during Holy Week and accompanied by the popular dessert manta de bizcocho.

The A-6052 Martos–Porcuna is the main access road to Santiago de Calatrava. In Martos, this road connects the town with the A-316. In Porcuna, it connects it with the A-305.

For the higher-level travel overview: Jaen.