This town is in the
Southwest of the province of Jaén, in the bordering area
between the provinces of Córdoba and Granada, within the
Sierra Sur region, at the foothill of Sierra Ahillos. Its landscape
has many slopes and fertile lands around river flows, between the
river Guadalquivir cultivated land and the Sierras Subbéticas
mountains which influence the type of crops: irrigated lands and
a world of olive trees. The Medieval town center is on a hill crowned
by Calatrava castle, which dates from the 13th century, which had
been built over a Almohad fortress. The town has an important architectural
heritage, such as the Castle, Sta. María church (Gothic Renaissance
style), the Casa Consistorial (Baroque), declared BIC, San Pedro
church (Renaissance style), Sta. Clara convent (with Baroque façade
and wreathed columns), Carmen church (Mannerism style), Jesús
convent, Casa de los Leones or Almirantazgo, Casa de los Condes,
Casa de Alcalá Zamora, Casa de los Funes, Casa de la Marquesa
de Sta. Teresa, Fuentes, Misericordia hospital (18th century), Arco
de la Villa (Plateresque), Sta. Catalina hermitage (with mural paintings
of the Final Judgment, from the 16th century), watchtowers, etc.
The town has beautiful surroundings with amazing views. It is worth
mentioning the different views that can be enjoyed as you approach
the town from different angles.
In this municipality, there is Lagunas Honda y del Chinche natural
reservoirs, ecologically interesting endorreic pans because of the
birds fauna living there, such as malvasia duck, flamingos, mallards,
and sultana birds, among others.
Alcaudete is in preferential spot within Andalusia road network
– less than one hour from the cities of Jaén, Granada,
and Córdoba, right in the Herat of the ‘Caliphate Route’,
and less than two hours from Málaga and Seville. It is part
of the "Via Verde del Aceite"(olive oil green route) and
the "La Cultura Islámica en Jaén" (Islamic
route in Jaén), usually known as the “Ruta de los Castillos”
(Castle Route).
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