Santo Tomé

Santo Tomé is located in the heart of the Sierras de Cazorla and Las Villas, in the northern part of the Alto Guadalquivir region, to which it belongs, extending from the east to the west of the region, along a narrow and extensive municipality that reaches from the fertile plains of the Guadalquivir to the core of the Sierra de Cazorla. This territory has historically endowed Santo Tomé with pastures and forest resources that completed the local rural economy, with the cultivation of fertile plains and olive groves. The eastern half is mountainous, belonging to the Natural Park of the Sierra de Cazorla, Segura and Las Villas, reaching the first section of the Guadalquivir river after its source. The western one is farmland, in which olive groves dominate. In the plains of the Guadalquivir, rainfed herbaceous crops and orchards predominate. The Borosa River marks the eastern limits of the municipality, in the heart of the Natural Park. Next to the river there is a river interpretation centre and a fish farm. The town centre is concentrated around the old castle tower that gave rise to the town. Santo Tomé occupies the top of a hill overlooking the Guadalquivir valley. There are three villages dependent on Santo Tomé: Agrupación de Santo Tomé, Arroyos Plaza and Las Ericas, the last two in the mountain area. The village of Las Ericas and the Borosa river are some of the places of extraordinary beauty located in the municipality. The economic activity of the municipality is linked to agriculture and tourism. As an example of its architectural heritage, the bell tower of the church of Santo Tomás Apóstol, from the fourteenth century, stands out, as it was originally an Arab defensive tower.

History

The oldest human remains found in the municipality that reveal human presence date back to the Neolithic period: arrowheads, sickle teeth and crushers. In the Copper Age there was a site near the Agrupación de Santo Tomé, known as Montiel.

Nature

Santo Tomé belongs to the region of Sierra de Cazorla, it is 548 m. above sea level, occupying the northern part of the region. The municipality is a strip of land, much longer than it is wide, that extends east to west. The eastern half is mountainous, formed by coniferous mountains and belongs to the Natural Park of Cazorla, Segura and Las Villas, reaching the first section of the Guadalquivir after its source. The western half is farmland, dominated by olive groves until it reaches the banks of the Guadalquivir. In the lower area, rainfed herbaceous crops and irrigated crops are developed in the river plain.

Gastronomy

The oldest human remains found in the municipality that reveal human presence date back to the Neolithic period: arrowheads, sickle teeth and crushers. In the Copper Age there was a site near the Agrupación de Santo Tomé, known as Montiel.

Parties

Santo Tomé has been an eminently agricultural population, so its festivities are closely linked to agricultural tasks