La Iruela

La Iruela is a small, pretty village in the north-east of the Sierra de Cazorla region. The western part of the town is made up of farmland, while the rest of the municipality is a mountainous area reforested with pine forests. It belongs to the Parque Natural de las Sierras de Cazorla y Las Villas, being its main gateway.

The municipality of La Iruela, as if it were a jigsaw puzzle, is made up of numerous nuclei, 17 districts that make up the municipality. Burunchel, El Palomar, El Burrueco, Arroyo Frío, Fontanares, La Estrella, Mortalejos, Tramaya, El Pocico, San Martín, Pasada Barrero, Los Tíscares, Arroyos de Plaza, Juntas de Muriel, Nubla, Don Roque and Cañamares.

The municipality's economic activity is based on two basic pillars: olive growing and nature tourism, with forestry activity also standing out.
Its historical heritage includes the Medieval Castle, the ruins of the Church of Santo Domingo de Silos and the Town Hall.

La Iruela was declared a Historic-Artistic Site in 1985.

Information

This municipality is part of:

Culture

  • Castle of La Iruela. The imposing castle stands on a steep crag and at its feet is a medieval quarter of unquestionable architectural value. It is of Almohad origin and is built on pre-Berber foundations. In the 8th century, La Iruela was occupied by the Muslims and in order to cultivate the land they created farmhouses, later walls to defend themselves from enemies, and in the 12th century, the first of the three fortress enclosures that it has today. The second, also built by the Almohads, was a parade ground surrounded by a series of defensive towers linked together by thick walls. Inside the parade ground are the remains of a large cistern. When Ferdinand III conquered this area, the Christians reformed the castle and built the keep on the highest part of the crag. It was the headquarters of the Order of the Knights Templar. Nowadays, an auditorium has been created between the castle and the rock, where artistic and cultural activities are held. It was declared a Historic Monument in 1985.
  • Ruins of the Church of Santo Domingo. Renaissance church from the 16th century, built inside the walled enclosure of the castle. The church consisted of three naves, the central nave being the widest and where the presbytery was located, while the side naves housed chapels. A building annexed to the churc ...
READ MORE READ LESS

Source of information

Ayto. La Iruela

Imágenes

Contenido Audiovisual

Plan your trip