A path along the Arroyo de la Humbría begins right in the town centre of Fuensanta de Martos. The town also has protected buildings, local traditions and hiking trails leading to a range of destinations. This makes it easy to plan your trip around specific interests: the town’s history, its festivals, or its waterways and landscapes.

Watchtowers and archaeological remains

The Torre del Algarrobo is a fortified watchtower dating from the 13th century. It has been protected as a Bien de Interés Cultural in the Monument category since 1985. The same site also contains an archaeological site from the Iberian period. Its rectangular footprint covers around 400 square metres. This brings together historical remains from different periods: the Iberian site and the medieval watchtower.

The Torrevieja, also known as Torrevieja de Cazalla or La Torre, has likewise been recognised and protected as a Bien de Interés Cultural since 1985. Historically, it formed part of the defensive structure of the Order of Calatrava. Together with the Torre del Algarrobo, it gives the town’s history a clear focus on fortified buildings. The names refer to different historical details: for the Torre del Algarrobo, the construction period and archaeological site are specified; for the Torrevieja, its alternative names and role in the defensive structure are given.

Architecture, fountains and community traditions

The Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de la Fuensanta dates back to the 16th century and has an understated Renaissance style. The present-day design of the Fuente de La Negra was chosen by a vote among local residents, based on several designs. The Lavadero dates back to the 17th century; its strongly social use continued until almost the present day. These places reveal different facets of the town’s history: a religious building, a design chosen by popular vote and a place with a long history of social use.

The patron saint festivities, popularly known as the Feria del Higo, take place from 23 to 26 September during the fig season. If the festival is the reason for your trip, these dates provide a specific point around which to plan. The Passion plays are also part of local tradition: they were revived in 1975 after having fallen into oblivion. On Maundy Thursday, the Passion and death of Jesus Christ are reenacted at a place known as El Calvario. The September festivities and the Maundy Thursday performance thus offer two different dates to consider when planning a trip.

Hiking trails with different destinations

The “Torres y Picos de Fuensanta” hiking route starts and ends in the town centre at Plaza del Ayuntamiento. It leads to Cerro del Algarrobo, where the old Torre del Algarrobo stands, and then on to the Torrevieja. Another hike is a circular route: it goes to Despeñadero, one of Fuensanta’s highest points, and visits several caves and sinkholes. A further hiking route starts in Fuensanta and follows the Umbría River to its source.

The destinations are quite different: “Torres y Picos de Fuensanta” focuses on the two named towers and its starting and finishing point in the town centre. The circular route combines Despeñadero with caves and sinkholes, while the route along the river continues to its source. When planning, you can therefore decide whether to focus on buildings, caves and sinkholes, or a river course.

River landscapes, habitats and olive-growing culture

The Arroyo de la Humbría forms a small gorge alongside Fuensanta de Martos. A path along the watercourse starts right in the town centre, complementing the longer-distance routes with a trail that begins in town. The Río Víboras flows through Fuensanta de Martos; the area’s diverse habitats support the presence of amphibians and reptiles.

The landscape is a mosaic of pastureland, scrubland with hawthorns and wild roses, and cherry orchards, which support a diverse birdlife. If you are interested in olive growing as well as these landscape features, the Fuensanta Interpretation Centre offers a complementary theme. It focuses on olive tree biology, olive varieties, olive-growing by-products and how they are used. The range of topics therefore extends from habitats and waterways to the plants and products of olive growing.

Discover more destinations: Vilches, La Carolina, Baños De La Encina, Garcíez, Alcalá La Real, Arjona, Pozo Alcón, Arroyo Del Ojanco.

For the broader travel overview: Jaen.