Campotéjar

The municipality borders with the Hoya de Guadix and the province of Jaen. For a long time it was the border between the Christian and Muslim kingdoms. It has a colourful and interesting history which has been absorbed by the local culture and has influenced its celebrations and traditions.

The town has an fascinating past and some interesting sights. The Iglesia Parroquial del Cristo de la Expiración, La Casa Grande, El Pilar and el Cerro Castellón are all worth visiting.

The archaeological remains found in the Cerro Castellón show that this area was inhabited during the Copper Age. However, there is a lack of information about settlements here from the Bronze Age until the Muslim occupation in the 11^th century. In the Moorish period it was on border with the Christian territories, so a fortified castle was built to defend the area, of which nothing remains today.

For years the town was continually harassed by Catholic troops and in 1486 the troops led by Don Fadrique de Toledo, the most talented general of Fernando the Catholic, took the town. Two years later, the Catholic Monarchs gave the town to Don Alonso Venegas who took charge of the rebuilding of the castle. In 1490 the Count of Tendilla strengthened it further after declaring war on King Boabdil. In 1609, Don Pedro de Granada y Venegas ruled over Campotéjar.

Campotéjar’s cuisine uses the plentiful local olives and an international olive oil fair is held here. Traditional dishes include Gachas, Migas de Segador, Guisado de Manitas de Cerdo and Torta de Carda. Special desserts includes, Rocos, fritters, Borrachuelos and Nochebuenos (olive oil bread with raisins).