The park, which is one of the most important hunting reserves in Spain, is located in the Sierra Morena in the northwest of the province of Jaén. Throughout history, all the people who settled in the South fought to dominate the territory due to its strategic position. The Romans called their main base Iliturgi, but the name Andujar actually comes from the Arab word Alturja. After a long period of fighting between Christians and Muslims, Fernando III of Castille finally annexed the area in 1224. The region was mentioned again in historical annals during the War of Independence when, after the first important defeat of Napolean’s troops in Europe, the surrender of Bailén was signed in Andújar in 1808. Perhaps more prevalent in popular memory, however, are the nineteenth century bandits and highwaymen who sought refuge in the mountains.

The cultural importance of the gastronomy and handicrafts of the region is well known. Olive oil is the key ingredient for the varied and excellent dishes of the area, game meat plays a principal role in village culinary tradition and much of the food is marinated in what is called “adobe” made with herbs and spices that grow in the area. The venison done in Baños de la Encina style, rabbit with fennel and Andújar quails are all as tasty as the ample range of desserts available. Thanks to the number of clay quarries, there is a thriving pottery industry. The glazed ceramics of the region are famous, especially the white and blue pitchers popularly known as “horse whistles”, the olive oil bottles and earthenware drinking jugs. It is important to mention the other indigenous crafts such as metal work, taxidermy, saddle making and the quality guitars which are made in Andujar and Marmolejo.

The town of Andujar is worth seeing for the historical buildings it possesses. There is the Roman bridge over the Guadalquivir, the church of Santa María where there are paintings by El Greco, the church of San Miguel with its magnificent coffered ceiling and the Gothic style church San Bartolomé. The town hall, which was previously the Casa de Comedias, the Hall of Justice and a Renaissance palace known as the Casa de los Niños de Don Gome, are a good examples of neoclassical architecture. In Baños de la Encina there is a medieval fortress built by Alhakem II, which was declared a national monument in 1931 and is one of the few remaining buildings by the Caliphs left in Spain.

The agricultural areas in the valleys of the Guadalquivir are dedicated principally to olives and irrigated crops, whereas the forest areas are populated by pines, holm oaks, cork trees, rockroses and kermes oaks. On the steep, north facing hillsides there are native plants such as the strawberry tree (madroño), myrtle and rosemary. Although the rivers that run through the park are often dried out in the summer months, the Jándula preserves its river bank vegetation: willows, alders, hackberries and oleanders and the river Yeguas, which runs alongside the border of the Nature Reserve of Cardeña y Montoso, has beautiful woods and meadows with ash trees and oleanders.

This Mediterranean ecosystem is habitat to the Iberian lynx and the wolf, which are in danger of extinction, as well as to other mammals such as different species of deer and wild boars. It is possible to see eagles flying high, attracted by the plentiful supply of rabbits, or vultures on the look out for carrion. Due to the abundance of wildlife, there are special hunting areas called “cotos”.

There are many paths that go down to the Guadalquivir river basin through dense vegetation and to its tributary, the Jándula. The path that starts at the “Puente de Hierro” (iron bridge) winds along the Jándula and is a lovely walk. There is a recreation area with picnic tables and barbeques to the right of the river bank and where small groups of azure-winged magpies approach visitors in the hope of receiving food. The walk along the river bank leads to the small reservoir of Encinarejo which generates electricity. On the other side of the bridge below the dam and after walking uphill, one comes to Encinarejo which housed the workers that built the dam.

The contrasts of landscape within the Nature Reserve of Sierra de Andujar and the wealth of its varied animal and plant life makes this park one of the most beautiful places in Andalucia. It is ideal for outdoor enthusiasts who enjoy hiking, photography, mountain biking, rock climbing, fishing and huntiing, canoeing and sailing.

The visitors’ centre is on the main road between Andújar and Santuario (km 12.3). In winter, the centre opens on Thursdays from 10:00 until 14:00 and on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 10:00 until 18:00. In summer it is open from 10:00 until 14:00 on Thursdays and on Fridays and Saturdays from 10:00 until 14:00 and then18:00 until 20:00.