Santisteban del Puerto: Churches, Castles and Dinosaur Tracks

Culture

The Iglesia de Santa María del Collado was built between the 13th and 18th centuries on the site of a Visigothic church from the 7th century. Its construction history therefore spans several periods. In 1978, the Iglesia de Santa María del Collado was classified as a Bien de Interés Cultural.

Construction of the Iglesia de San Esteban began in the 15th century and continued over the following centuries. The church has a medieval basilica-style layout. Both its long construction period and its medieval ground plan can therefore be directly identified at the Iglesia de San Esteban by its name and the structure described.

The Ermita del Egido is also known as the Ermita del Collado. The chapel was rebuilt in 1624. Its two-part wooden roof has a roof structure in the Mudéjar tradition. The rebuilding and the distinctive roof structure are the two documented features of this building.

The Museo de Escultura Jacinto Higueras displays religious sculptures, depictions of the sculptor's family and monuments. Portraits of the sculptor and the awards from the International Sculpture Competition are also exhibited there. The museum preserves original works and documents by the sculptor Jacinto Higueras Fuentes. His family donated these holdings in 1963. Thus, both the exhibited sculptures and portraits and the preserved original works and documents form part of the museum's collection.

The Castillo de San Esteban is a viewpoint overlooking the historic town centre of Santisteban del Puerto. In 1985, the Castillo de San Esteban was classified as a Bien de Interés Cultural. The Torre de Poyato is a keep that once belonged to a rural castle from the 13th century. The Cueva de Apolinario was also classified as a Bien de Interés Cultural. The cultural monuments mentioned therefore include buildings, a keep, a cave and a museum with works and documents.

Nature

The Monumento Natural Huellas de Dinosaurios comprises 24 bipedal dinosaur tracks from the Triassic period. For visitors, the Huellas de Dinosaurios is equipped with information panels and a children's recreation area. The site therefore combines the designated tracks with information panels and the expressly mentioned children's recreation area.

La Carnicera is a municipal estate where Mediterranean woodland landscapes and stands of cork oak can be observed. The cork oak stands are among the Mediterranean woodland habitats observable there.

Las Buitreras allows visitors to observe the flora and fauna typical of the Sierra Morena massif, particularly Mediterranean woodland landscapes. In addition to the massif's flora and fauna in general, Mediterranean woodland landscapes are therefore specifically mentioned as a particular component there.

Crafts and Cuisine

Traditional blacksmithing is still practised in Santisteban del Puerto today. In addition to this craft, Ajopuerco is part of the town's traditional cuisine. The dish is prepared during the seasonal slaughter ritual known as the matanza in Santisteban del Puerto and offered to the guests attending the matanza.

Other Places

Other places include Las Escuelas, Ribera Alta, Aldeaquemada, Beas De Segura, Baños De La Encina, Miller, Marmolejo and Quesada.

For the higher-level travel overview: Jaen.