Discover Hinojares: Nature, Townscape and Traditions

Hinojares brings together several distinct themes for trip planning: a traditionally shaped townscape, the parish church of San Marcos, striking rock and water formations, and local customs. If you would rather not choose a destination based on just one attraction, you can explore architectural history, nature and traditions as separate points of interest here. This allows you to shape your stay around the themes that interest you personally.

Townscape and history

The town center features traditional whitewashed houses with gabled roofs made of Arabic tiles. The recurring light-colored façades and roof shapes give the center a cohesive architectural character. The cave houses are another defining feature of Hinojares and are of great ethnological value.

The parish church of San Marcos is also a specific point of reference for the town’s history: it was built at the end of the 17th century. Inside is an altarpiece dating back to the Renaissance. The church’s construction date and the altarpiece’s earlier origins thus offer two distinct historical points of reference. If you are interested in art and architectural history, you can focus both on the church building and on a single work inside it.

Los Castellones de Ceal lies in the vicinity of Hinojares and is one of the most significant Iberian settlements. This connection to Iberian settlement extends the view beyond the townscape and adds a nearby site to the historical impressions.

Rock formations and water

Piedra del Reloj is a vertical rock formation with three step-like ledges. Its shadows indicate the time of day, giving the formation a temporal dimension in addition to its striking structure.

At Arroyo Turrillas, a massive formation of conglomerates, silts and clays with carbonates of continental origin is exposed. It forms a spectacular fan of strata. Those interested in geology will find a clearly described connection here between the rock material and the landscape form.

Cascada de la Vinatera appears only temporarily during periods of heavy rainfall. If the waterfall is an important reason for your trip, take this dependence on rainfall into account. The natural features also differ in their timing: at Piedra del Reloj, shadows indicate the time of day, while Cascada de la Vinatera appears temporarily only after heavy rain.

Customs and local traditions

La Candelaria begins in February with the lighting of bonfires as the bells toll for the dead. In the old carnival tradition of “Los bordos,” rushes were woven to make chair seats. These traditional customs thus bring together a festive occasion and a specific craft use of the material.

Tortas de San Marcos are handed out to both locals and visitors after the procession of the saint. Fires around which people traditionally sing, dance, eat and drink are also part of local customs. These traditions offer a different way to experience Hinojares than its architectural history or landscape: they encompass festivities, community activities and local foods.

Planning your stay

Hinojares can be reached via the A-315 Torreperogil–Baza road; between Huesa and Pozo Alcón, take the turnoff onto the JA-8200. As road conditions can change, it is advisable to check the route shortly before traveling.

The starting point for the Vereda de Arroyo Molinos al Cerrillo–Cordel Romeral is in the Hinojares area, at the beginning of a track branching off from the JV-3266, on the right when traveling toward Huesa. Use this stated direction of travel when navigating, since the side indication specifically refers to travel toward Huesa.

Guadiana Menor Turismo is a Hinojares-based company specializing in active, sports and adventure tourism. If you would like to include the provider in your travel plans, confirm its availability before your trip. To visit the cave houses, you must either stay overnight in one of the houses or contact the respective owners. Confirm the visiting arrangements in advance, as access arrangements may change.

Discover more destinations: Navas de San Juan, Huesa, Porcuna, Castellar, Cabra Del Santo Cristo, El Parralejo, Ermita Nueva, Begíjar

For the broader travel overview: Jaen.