La Iruela is sheltered by the “Sierra de Cazorla” mountain range, extending through the “Guadalquivir” Valley and located in the province of Jaén. It is a perfect destination for discovering the essence of the old villages and their relaxed pace of life, where rural tourism stands out as an option for relaxation.
The municipality of “La Iruela” is made up of a long list of hamlets, including “Buruchel”, “Arroyo Frío” and “Fontanares”, which also offer the tranquillity of rural surroundings.
Would you like to know something of its history? For this we have to go back a long time, as far as the Bronze Age, a period from which remains have been found, although it was not until the arrival of the Muslims that it began to stand out in its own right.
The town centre has been declared a Historic-Artistic Site and is a perfect place to lose yourself in the narrow, steep streets while you contemplate the typical architecture of white houses and balconies adorned with flowerpots.
Regarding its monuments, at first glance, “El Castillo” stands out, as it is located in an elevated position above the town, whose origins date back to the Muslim period, although its current appearance is medieval, and also houses the Christian temple of “Santo Domingo”. Although it may seem impossible to climb, it is not, and it is well worth the effort for the impressive views it offers.
And where to eat? Its gastronomy is based on basic, low-cost products such as flour. This is due to the fact that at the time, people were looking for hearty meals to combat the cold and to cope with long hours in the countryside.
“Migas de harina”, sweet porridge or “rin ran”, a dish made with potatoes and cod, are some of the best known dishes.
Shall we talk about nature? The natural landscape surrounding this picturesque village is nothing less than the “Sierra de Cazorla”, “Segura” y “Las Villas” Nature Reserve, the largest protected natural environment in Spain due to its high ecological value, and it is also the birth of the “Guadalquivir” River.
It is the ideal place to enjoy numerous activities to get back in touch with nature, whether on foot or by bicycle, or, for the more adventurous, climbing the dizzying rock faces.
It is nature itself that acts as an economic driving force, divided into two aspects. On one hand, through the extensive olive groves, which provide our famous liquid gold: olive oil, while on the other hand, rural tourism is also intertwined with the natural environment, offering a varied range of accommodation for those looking to escape the big cities for a while and rediscover nature.
So, where can you stay? As we said, rural tourism is the predominant type of tourism, although it is not limited to typical houses, as it also includes hotels and flats that integrate the aesthetics and customs of this beautiful village.
