Torreperogil

Torreperogil is a town located in the centre of the region called La Loma and Las Villas, bordering on Úbeda and with whom has a close link. We can emphasize the olive grove cultivation like majority use of its lands, standing out that in Torreperogil the proportion between unirrigated and irrigated lands is very similar; because of this it has important final products. There is also a small area dedicated to the grapevine cultivation, that gives a provincial high quality wine, being one of the few towns in Jaén with wine production. With regard to the industrial activity, we have to point out like predominant sector the construction, that takes place both in the inland of the own town and in the rest of the region, holding the third place with respect to the number of companies after Úbeda and Baeza.

The name of "Torreperogil" comes from the man of the tower around which was built the town: Pero Xil de Zatico. This man was one of the examples of power who had the Castilian knights settled in the towns La Loma de Úbeda. Don Pero Xil distinguished himself in the conquest of Úbeda to Fernando III’s orders in 1231.

During the Middle Age Torreperogil was scene of important battles and fights between partialities, telling the legend that the tower was destroyed and the floor scattered with salt.

Torreperogil was under the jurisdiction of Gil’s family until 1539, year in which his IV Señor, allied and Pedro I de Castilla’s close friend, was cut his throat of together with him in Montiel, 23 march. After his death, Enrique II conceded Torreperogil to Úbeda in lordship, like reward for the support that his knights gave him.

In 1635 Felipe IV gave Torreperogil the independence from Úbeda, although until 1642 it was not recognized because Úbeda did not accept this declaration of villazgo (charter of a town).

During the XVI and XVII centuries its urban area and population were consolidated. In the XIX century Torreperogil suffered a new suburb as a result of the creation if a new area: El Prado Avenue. During this century the town had been characterized because of its fight against the French in 1808, its cooperation in the Carlist Wars with the maintenance of the national militia, and because it was the first town that proclaimed king to Alfonso XII, from what this king gave Torreperogil the title of Muy Ilustre Villa (Most Honourable Town).

Monuments

Parish Church of Santa María la Mayor. It has Gothic Renaissance style and built by the bishop Esteban Gabriel Merino. 
 
Hermitage of Nuestra Señora de la Misericordia.

Archaeological Sites 
 
Torres Oscuras. Remains from Pero Gil’s fortress. 

Town Planning 
 
Paseo del Prado. 
 
County State of Armindez.

Gastronomy

Garbanzos mareados (a soup made with chickpeas from the previous day) 
Arroz arriero 
Pipirrana (ripen tomatoes, garlic, green pepper, boiled yolk, crumb, salt and olive oil, with hard-boiled eggs, tuna or cod slices) 
Andrajos (potato, flour, olive oil, garlic, onion, pepper, salt and paprika) 
Habas en ajo

Confectionery

Hornazos (Spanish meat pie made with flour and yeast and stuffed with pork loin, spicy chorizo sausage and hard-boiled eggs) 
Roscos de la sartén (eggs, olive oil, fizzy drink, grated lemon peel, cinnamon, etc...) 
Borrachuelos (flour dough, olive oil, brandy, grated lemon peel, cinnamon and sugar) 
Tortillas de harina (flour, salt, butter and water)

How to get there

You have to exit Jaén and continue in the road J-14, then take the Motorway A-316 towards: Mancha Real - Baeza - Úbeda. Alleyway of Puente Nuevo and follow until Baeza. Alleyway of Baeza and Úbeda. In the roundabout, take the exit 3 and continue in the Motorway A-301. Take the road N-322. Alleyway of El Campillo and continue until you get Torreperogil.

Distances

To Jaén 67 km
To Úbeda 11 km
To Baeza 19 km
To Sabiote 6,5 km
To Linares 36 km
To Villacarrillo 22 km
To Peal de Becerro 22 km
To Navas de San Juan 31 km
To Villanueva del Arzobispo 33 km