Quesada

Quesada is a municipality that belongs to the region of Sierra de Cazorla, located in the southeast of the province of Jaén. The east and south of its territory are part of the Sierra de Cazorla, Segura and Las Villas Natural Park. This municipality is made up of Quesada and the villages of Belerda, Don Pedro, Collejares, Los Rosales and Tíscar, as well as El Cortijuelo. It is one of the most beautiful and historic villages in the Park. Built around a hill, the streets and squares have the curved and heterogeneous physiognomy of the medieval layout. In its municipal area is the source of the Guadalquivir River, in La Cañada de las Fuentes. In agriculture, olive groves dominate. It has an olive cooperative that is part of the "Sierra de Cazorla" denomination of origin. Sheep farming is also very important. The cultivation of cereals is residual and has been replaced by olive groves. Its surroundings are dotted with places of environmental and heritage interest, such as the Roman villa of Bruñuel and the venerated sanctuary of the Virgin of Tíscar. Among its heritage is the Parish Church of San Pedro and San Pablo, the Watchtower of the Infante Don Enrique, the Arch of the Saints and the Levantine-style cave paintings, declared a World Heritage Site and located in the Cueva del Encajero; and finally the Museum of Rafael Zabaleta, a painter native of Quesada, and that of Miguel Hernández, whose wife was born in this town.

History

The oldest evidence places the population of the area in the third millennium BC. (cave paintings and ceramic and lithic remains). The Argaric culture settled in the second millennium BC. There are fights against the Carthaginians and Romans, as well as a Roman road that passes through the municipality, as well as various Roman villas, including that of Bruñel. From the fourth century, the remains of an early Christian basilica stand out.

Nature

Quesada located in the middle of nature, surrounded by mountains of considerable height such as the Gilillo peak (1899 m.), Rayal (1884 m.) or the Magdalena (1219 m.), it is located in the surroundings of the Guadiana Menor riverbed with streams that wind along its slopes, it is an invitation to walk one of the many paths to let ourselves be surprised by the botanical and faunal richness of its territory.

Gastronomy

The oldest evidence places the population of the area in the third millennium BC. (cave paintings and ceramic and lithic remains). The Argaric culture settled in the second millennium BC. There are fights against the Carthaginians and Romans, as well as a Roman road that passes through the municipality, as well as various Roman villas, including that of Bruñel. From the fourth century, the remains of an early Christian basilica stand out.

Parties

The following festivals are celebrated in Quesada: San Sebastián, San Antón, Festivities in honour of the Patron Saint La Virgen de Tíscar, Fiesta de los Cargos or Fiesta del Dios Chico