Sierra Mágina, Protected mountain range in Jaén Province, Spain
Sierra Magina is a mountain range in Jaen Province characterized by limestone cliffs and peaks, with the highest summit exceeding 2,000 meters. The landscape features steep valleys, rocky outcrops, and forested slopes that create a complex terrain across its roughly 19,900 hectares.
During the medieval period from the 13th to 15th centuries, this mountain range formed a natural border between the Muslim kingdom of Granada and Christian-held territories. The strategic position led to the construction of numerous fortifications that marked and defended this important frontier zone.
The medieval fortifications scattered across the slopes tell the story of how these mountains once separated powerful kingdoms. Visitors can still see these structures as markers of how communities used the landscape to define boundaries between different worlds.
Sturdy footwear is essential for exploring trails that cross limestone terrain and steep slopes. The visitor center at Castillo de Jodar provides maps and information about marked paths suitable for different fitness levels.
Upper slopes support plant species that grow nowhere else, making them botanically distinct from surrounding regions. These rare plants coexist with numerous wild orchids and fungi that flourish in the mountain microclimate.
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