History

From the remains found, the first human settlemets date back to Neolithic times
It was one of Andalusia"s most important villages during the Iberian period.
The village reached its maximum splendour under the Romans. It received the name of Gran Mentesa, in the Tarraconensis province. There were palaces, temples, baths. Its population was of about 50,000.
The Roman Consul Marco Acibio Glabron was born here. In the second year of his mandate, he was sent to the lions because of his Christian faith, and was later martyrized in A.D. 93.
Its gold sands and mines were famous, and its gold reached even Rome.
Legend has it that the Apostle Santiago visited the village in A.D. 36.
After the Arab invasion in the 8th century, the village was looted and burnt down.
King Fernando III reconquered the village in 1244.
It was also called Montijar, due to the fact that the village had to defend the Kingdom of Jaen from Granada"s raids.

Eminent citizens
Marco Acibio Glabron.
Enrique González Duro, doctor.
José Marí­a Guerrero Medina, painter.