Segura de la Sierra: History, Nature and El Yelmo

Nature

Segura de la Sierra lies in the heart of the Sierra de Segura, which forms part of the Parque Natural de las Sierras de Cazorla, Segura y Las Villas; valleys, karst landscapes, gorges, mountains and plateaus shape the area.

The summit of El Yelmo is 1,809 metres high and offers views of the forests of the nature park, distant peaks in Albacete and Granada, the plains of La Mancha, Segura de la Sierra and the Embalse del Tranco reservoir.

From the Mirador de Segura de la Sierra, the geological formation Serie Jurásico-Cretácico de El Yelmo is visible; it features a synclinal structure and a diverse sequence of marine and continental sedimentary rocks from the Jurassic and Cretaceous periods.

The Estación de vuelo libre El Yelmo faces west, has an elevation difference of around 1,000 metres and allows flights throughout the year in suitable weather conditions.

History

From the 13th to the 15th century, the fortress of Segura de la Sierra was central to the formation of a significant territorial and jurisdictional entity in Castile.

The Castillo de Segura and its historic settlement are designated as a Paisaje Pintoresco and Conjunto Histórico-Artístico.

Numerous sections of the walls are visible in Segura de la Sierra: in the lower part of the town, along the climbs from Puerta Nueva to the Castillo, on the walls descending from the Castillo to the bullring, and along the outer enclosure of the Alcazaba.

The Puerta Catena, of Arab origin, and the town walls were jointly designated as a Bien de Interés Cultural in 1985.

The Torre del Homenaje is 18.43 metres high and has three floors and a terrace.

The Fuente Imperial was built opposite the church in 1517, represents the transition from Gothic to Renaissance architecture and displays the coat of arms of Charles V on a double-headed winged eagle.

The Iglesia de los Jesuitas was built between 1583 and 1593 and is now used as a venue for events and exhibitions, where various activities take place.

The parish church houses a Gothic alabaster sculpture of the Virgen de la Peña with the Child from the 14th century.

Culture and Events

Bolos Serranos is a living traditional game passed down from generation to generation, particularly associated with Segura de la Sierra, and played in the Valle and Alta montaña forms.

Música en Segura is an established festival; over the previous twelve years, it hosted almost 200 concerts attended by more than 80,000 people.

The Música en Segura programme includes concerts in the Iglesia de los Jesuitas as well as the classic formats Concierto del Amanecer and Excursión Musical.

The Festival Internacional del Aire y la Montaña “El Yelmo” is a sporting and tourism event; its XXVI edition took place in Segura de la Sierra.

The FIA El Yelmo programme includes paragliding, paramotor and base-jump aerobatics, flight demonstrations, public workshops and a 12-kilometre hike.

Routes

The section of the Vía Verde de Segura in the province of Jaén is 27.1 kilometres long and runs through the municipality of Segura de la Sierra.

Cycling tourism and walking are permitted on the Vía Verde de Segura.

The intermodal hub of Segura de la Sierra is located opposite the municipal swimming pool and next to the access route to the town’s Castillo; it forms part of a network of hiking and cycling routes in the nature park.

The scenic Segura de la Sierra–Río Madera route is 42 kilometres long and starts and ends in Segura de la Sierra.

Directly associated places are El Ojuelo and Cortijos Nuevos.

To the higher-level travel overview: Jaen.

More destinations

More places within the same destination:

Vilches, Villacarrillo, Aldeaquemada, Castellar, Pegalajar, Escañuela.