Olive
groves, endless carpet, form along with the unique quality of its olive
oil the biggest wealth and the greatest pride of these lands. Around
the golden liquid, that in the Andalusian province of Jaen is obtained
from the pressing of the olive evolves all the culture, recognized by
designations of origin, tastes, and tasters and for its therapeutic
effect that like the world of wine comes from the inherited roman
tradition.
Most of the land area is devoted to the cultivation of olive trees, over a hundred mills of olive oil products operate in this region and their production exceeds one hundred tons per year. Inevitably, their traditional cuisine is bound by this treasure like their stews, salads and a specialty of the town the delicious sweets that come out of their convents, as ‘mantecados’, ‘hornazo’, fried roscos, ‘pestiños’, alfajores or ‘ajonjolís’.
Just as the olive grove beats in the heart of the earth, its kitchen or the condition of their people, Jaen also opens the doors to the essence of olive oil; it’s most prestigious and recognized product to tourism through The Green Road of Oil.
This initiative has become an attractive tourist offer across the ancient route of the railway Jaen-Campo Real, who moved from the end of the nineteenth century to the twenty century travelers and goods; mainly oil from the region that is why is given the popular name of oil train.
The
railway infrastructure was dismantled, beginning in 1985, and today is
a guide path which runs through the typical rural landscape of the
region, a cover of olive trees dotted with Andalusian lands. Throughout its 55-kilometer of length from the city of Jaen, where it was born until Alcaudete, on the border with the province Córboba, the Green Road crosses Torredelcampo, Torredonjimeno and Martos. Along the way, ideal for lovers of nature, you can play sports like hiking or cycling, crossing rivers streams, watchtowers with impressive views of viaducts from nineteenth century and designed by French engineers like Alessandro and Delapierre.
The Archaeological Route of Torreones and the Route of the Castles and Battles stand out as major attractions of this route, as well as the Natural Reserves of Laguna Honda and Laguna del Chinche and Valmayor swamp. But they are not alone, as the Olive Culture Museum and the Museum of the Olive in Ubeda and Baeza, reveal the best kept secret of a mystery that has made the Sierras de Cazorla, Segura and Magin golden liquid deposits of great value.