Located in the north of the Jaén province bordering Ciudad Real is Los Baños de la Encina. In the middle of unspoiled nature, the small village has a monumental centre.
Iberian lynxes still live here in the wild. Head out from the village on a walk to see if you can discover them!
Castillo de Burgalima in Los Baños de la Encina
The village can pride itself on the fact it has the best preserved Moorish fortress in Spain. Towering above the buildings, Castillo de Burgalima, known in Moorish times as Bury al-Hamma, dates from the tenth century. The long wall with fourteen (!) towers is still almost complete. The fifteenth tower, the ‘Torre del Homenaje’, was a later Christian addition.
Via extremely picturesque streets covered with bumpy pebbles – the car barely fits through – you arrive at the castle. Make your reservation in the tourism office. Even if the fortress itself is closed, a walk around it is beautiful with the impressive view of the Rumblar reservoir. Here you can go kayaking and swimming at Playa del Tamujoso beach. You may not be sitting on sand, but on hot days it is a great option and remarkably quiet.
The monumental village
The well-preserved city palaces, the Baroque monastery and the Gothic church in the village are clear indicators life was good here throughout history. If you’re hungry, take a seat at El Olivar de Guzmanes in Calle Trinidad with special local dishes, including lots of game.
