Cambil
Cambil is in a valley which creates its dramatic feel with rocky crags and white-washed houses clinging to rock faces. It's a small agricultural town of around 3,000 inhabitants which sees little tourism and has remained unchanged for centuries.
For this very reason it's not a good stopping place for coffee or lunch but is well worth an amble around its narrow streets.
Moorish remains tell of its rebellious past with almost three centuries of battle to retain their conquest until 1485 when the Catholic Kings retook the Cambil and Alhabar fortresses.
These two ruined castles are situated on separate rocks between which the river runs but still today look like the town's protectors.
The Convento de los Monjes de San Basilio next to the River Oviedo was the first monastery of this particular order of monks in Spain.
The Iglesia Parroquial de Nuestra Seņora de la Encarnacion was built in the 16th century and was designed by Alonso Barba who was an apprentice to the great architect Andres Vandelvira who was the architect of many of the fine Renaissance monuments in Baeza and Ubeda and the vast cathedral in Jaen.
A popular fiesta in Cambil is the 8th December bank holiday when the Virgen de la Aurora is processed around the streets amidst songs and music.
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