A Paradise of History and Nature
The picturesque street of Calle San Sebastían invites you to take your time when you walk up.
The building with the clock is the town hall (Ayuntamiento)
This sculpture looks like an ancient ship.
From a height of 400 meters the 360º views are just amazing.
This one takes you towards the coast.
On the horizon you can see Sierra Crestelina and Sierra Bermejas.
The original castle walls were last modified in 1808 - 1814 during the War of Independence (against France and Napoleon).
This map shows you the layout of the castle.
The Moat (El Foso) originates back to Islamic times and is set in a V shape in natural rock.
A curious hole in the side of the castle!
The main fortress (Alcázar y Torre del Homenaje).
Prologue:
The village of Jimena de la Frontera is one of the favourite pueblos blancos that we like to visit. Situated in the south east of the Cádiz Province and at the top end of Campo de Gibraltar, nestling on a steep hillside with a well preserved castle overlooking the magnificent nature park of Los Alcornocales (Oak tree)to the west.
The best time of year to visit is between mid October and until June. Just 35 km inland from San Roque the drive takes you through lush farm land, orange groves and pastures with grazing Andalucían cattle and bulls. In the spring and summertime you find many nesting storks on the route along the railway line from the coast.
Throughout history Jimena de la Frontera has played an important role.
The village has been inhabited by Iberians, Phoenicians, Carthaginians as well as by the Romans who made good use of the rich metal deposits found there. Around the year 750 the Moors followed and it became of great commercial and strategic military interest. In the year 1431 Jimena fell into the hands of the Christians and thereafter many more times reconquered by the Moors until finally in 1456 the Christians came to stay.
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| Plaza de la Constitución |
Directions:
- Coming from Marbella on the A-7 take turn off by Guadiaro near Sotogrande towards Castellar de la Frontera A-2100
- When you come to a crossroad turn right towards the village of Jimena de la Frontera A-405.
- When you reach the village of Los Angeles recognized by the railway station you turn towards the village of Jimena de la Frontera which is seen on the left side on the hill and dominated by its castle.
- It is about 1 1/2 hour drive to get to the village of Jimena de la Frontera coming from Marbella.
- You can park your car near the Plaza de Constitución and walk up through the village or drive up and leave the car at the foot of the castle.
The castle sits high above the pueblo.
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| Calle San Sebastían |
The building with the clock is the town hall (Ayuntamiento)
This sculpture looks like an ancient ship.
Look back and take in the views across the Campo de Gibraltar.
In the distance you can see the mountains Sierra Crestelina by Casares, and Los Reales de Sierra Bermejas, Estepona.
Puerta del Reloj (Watch tower) is the main entrance to the castle. This point, in Moorish times was the entrance to the pueblo of Xemina.
At the side of the gate you will find Roman inscriptions.
From a height of 400 meters the 360º views are just amazing.
This one takes you towards the coast.
On the horizon you can see Sierra Crestelina and Sierra Bermejas.
The original castle walls were last modified in 1808 - 1814 during the War of Independence (against France and Napoleon).
This map shows you the layout of the castle.
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| See information below |
The strategic location of the castle made Jimena de la Frontera an important frontier enclave, first Nasrid and later Christian. Its position on a hill provided views over an ample panorama that on clear day extended as far as the sea. The castle was declared a National
Monument in 1931 and it is the main feature that identifies the municipality of Jimena de la Frontera.
The castle was built by the Arabs and its appearance corresponds to the period of the Nasrid dominion, the last Muslim dynasty which controlled the kingdom of Granada and whose fall meant the end of
Al-Andalus. It was later conquered by Enrique IV of Castle in the middle of the 15th century. Archaeological excavations carried out in the proximity of the castle proved that the fortification was built on the remains of an old Roman city, Obba.
The walled enclosure was quite extensive although at present there are only a few remains, as well as the access gate to the parade ground and the clock tower, also known as Albarran. Within the Inner walls there is a construction from the same period located on the parade courtyard and surrounded by double walls. This is the Alcazar, a building that underwent important alterations during Christian times and from which the keep tower stands. This tower was the main part of a castle, it was located in the most heavily defended part and it was usually the residence of the owner of the fortress. Outside the walls there are remains of aljibes (water deposits) of Roman origin that are architecturally very interesting.
The castle of Jimena is part of a network of defensive fortifications in the interior of Cadíz province, among which the remains of the castle of Alcala de los Gazules, the walls of the castle of Castellar and the castle of Medina Sidonia stand out.
Within the castle walls you find a huge plateau.
After the first rains in the autumn the green is very vivid.
The Moat (El Foso) originates back to Islamic times and is set in a V shape in natural rock.
A curious hole in the side of the castle!
The main fortress (Alcázar y Torre del Homenaje).
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| Information board |
With the help of funding from the EU, the castle is well preserved and visitors can walk safely around.
From up here and towards the west, you have a panoramic view over the Nature Park
Parque Natural Los Alcornocales (Cork Oak Tree).
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| Read more: Los Alcornocales Nature Park |
Los Alcornocales is known for its cork oak trees and a large area of untouched Mediterranean forest. With an area of 167.167 ha it is one of the biggest in Spain. It reaches from the Straits of Gibraltar to the mountain ranges of Serranía de Ronda and Sierra de Grazalema to the north.
If you look closely you will notice a Griffon Vulture (Buitre leonado) sitting on the rock.
Birds eye views of Jimena de la Frontera.
At the horizon you can see Sierra Bermeja and the Mediterranean Coast
and below you see Jimena de la Frontera and the village of Los Angeles. To the right the river Hozgarganta as it flows towards the coast.
We found the ideal spot for a picnic but next time we will bring a blanket.
From here you look down onto the remains of a Roman Temple and the west entrance gate as well as the Bath of the "Moorish Queen" (Puerta y Templo Romano y los Baños se la Reina Mora).
To the right of the entrance gate Puerta del Reloj you find the cemetery of Jimena.
From the cemetery you get a good overall view of the of the fortress.
El Aljibe Islámico is a water cistern dating back to Islamic times, XII century. They were first built by the Romans.
After we had absorbed the aura of the castles history and beauty of the surroundings we headed back down through the village.
We said goodbye to the sunbathing Lizard at the Gate and promised to come back soon again.
There are still many old facades to be seen.
Jimenas streets are narrow and very steep. You need good stamina to live here.
Calle Consuelo a traditional cobblestone paved road and certainly very steep.
Back at Plaza de la Constitución we had a very nice Lunch in Bar El Paseo.
It is worth to mention that in autumn Jimena celebrates the culinary festival of Mycoligy (Mushrooms) where all the restaurants serve dishes with wild mushrooms.
How to get to Jimena de la Frontera
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