Jimena de la Frontera

Situated between the sierra de Ronda and the bay of Algeciras, its fortress overlooks the hill on the slopes of which sit the white houses of this village. Occupied since Prehistory, cave paintings are still to be seen at the archaeological site of La Laja Alta, and are the only example of maritime scenes from the Bronze Age in Spain. With the Muslim invasion, Jimena was fortified and became a strategic site.

Its heritage is dominated by the castle dating from the 13th and 14th centuries (Property of Cultural Interest). Apart from the battlemented walls, features of interest include the Keep, the Albarrana Tower, the cisterns and the gateways such as the Arco del Reloj. Behind the castle, there is the Baño de la Reina Mora (The Moorish Queen’s Bath)

Other jewels of religious architecture include the Nuestra Señora de la Victoria Church, the bell tower of Santa María la Coronada Church, La Misericordia Church and, on the outskirts, the Nuestra Señora de los Ángeles Sanctuary (15th-17th century).

Each and every year, the city hosts important regional cultural events. The May Trade Fair, which has a livestock market; the Flamenco Festival of Jimena Station, which is held in September and is one of the most longstanding Flamenco gatherings in the province; and the Mycological Days (namely, feasting on ‘mushrooms’) at the end of November.

Active Turism

As Jimena is within the Los Alcornocales Natural Park, top activities include hill-walking, bicycle-touring and horseriding. Particularly beautiful is the walk which follows the banks the River Hozgarganta, taking approximately three to four hours.