Villarrodrigo

Villarrodrigo is a town located in the region called Sierra de Segura, in the far northwest area of Jaén, being, therefore, the remotest town from the capital, to 159 Kilometres. Despite being located in this area, it is not part of the Parque Natural de las Sierras de Cazorla, Segura y Las Villas, because it does not provide anything of its expanse to the mentioned Nature Reserve. 
 
The urban area is located at 800 metres above sea level, built over a plain, reaching in some places more than 1800 metres of altitude. 
 
The main economic activity in the town is the agriculture and the hunting. More than half of the total area of the town is dedicated to the olive cultivation, mainly in dry land, having also land with meadows and pastures. We can emphasize that the town is located in the known Samuel Flores’ cattle.

From the Roman Age there were found many archaeological remains, large amount of them were connected with the exploitation of iron mines.

During the first half of the XIII century the Christian conquest was carried out by the knights of La Orden de Santiago, belonging to Segura de la Sierra.

In 1553 the king Felipe III proclaimed Villarrodrigo independent town.

Its previous denomination was Almadejuelo de la Sierra; it would change its name in honour of the commander Rodrigo Manrique, Jorge Manrique’s father, in the XV century.

Monuments

Parish Church. In the altarpiece there is a painting by Juan de Juanes. 
 
Large fortified tower. 
 
Archaeological Sites 
 
Garden of Bayonas. It is a necropolis and a Celtiberian group of sculptures.  
 
Town Planning 
 
Mountain urban area.

Gastronomy

The traditional cuisine of Villarrodrigo has like the rest of the municipalities of Sierra de Segura, some peculiarities derived from its geographical and climatic situation. This way, the olive oil, is without doubt, the fundamental ingredient for all dishes, -it is recognized with the guarantee of origin Sierra de Segura-. We also have to emphasize the products from the pig slaughter, like the white black puddings, black puddings, the loin and the cutlets, games, such as rabbit, hare, partridge or wild boar. We cannot forget the quality of the products from the markets in the town, as well as the asparagus, collejas (herbaceous plant), milk caps and snails. Lastly we have to mention that the salted cod is very famous, -due to the impossibility that the fresh fish arrive here some years ago.

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. Take the Alleyway of Puente Nuevo. Cross Baeza and continue in the Motorway A-316. Alleyway of Úbeda. In the roundabout take the exit 3 and continue in the Motorway A-301. Then turn right in N-322. Take the Alleyways of El Campillo and Villacarrillo. You have to follow the signs until Villarrodrigo.

Distances

To Jaén 159 km 
To Siles 28 km  
To Reolid 23 km  
To El Moralico 13 km  
To Zapateros 34 km  
To Beas de Segura 51 km  
To Puente de Génave 30 km  
To Camporredondo 52 km  
To Santisteban del Puerto 73 km  
To Villanueva del Arzobispo 61 km