Lopera

The town of Lopera is in the north west of the province of Jaén, in the region of La Campiña Norte The town has excellent historical features, like the castle founded by the Order of Calatrava, the parish Church of La Inmaculada Concepción, the Gothic Tercias de Lopera, and a large number of chapels.

Geographically, Lopera is on gentle terrain, with undulating hills, typical of the Jaén countryside, dominated by olive trees, with small areas dedicated to vineyards producing white grapes and cereals, which were previously much more abundant; there is also some cultivation under irrigation (cotton, sunflower, sugar beet, maize…) at a lower altitude (plains of the Salado creek).

There are a number of interesting wine cellars and a historic event of great importance, the Battle of Lopera, which left the town an interesting heritage.

For more information on the castle and the town, click here (promotional leaflet).

History

The Town of Lopera has a rich history, starting with the first settlements in the area in the Bronze Age, and continuing with the Cerro de San Cristóbal Iberian remains. Their function falls within the framework of the conflicts arising in the 6th century B.C. when Lopera became a border area between the Tartessos and the Mentesanos.

As many as 34 sites from Roman times have been recorded.

The prominent feature from the medieval period is the Roman-Visigoth site of Los Morrones and the most prized treasure of Lopera, the Castle of the Military Order of Calatrava.

En 1553, Philip II granted the Privilege of Lopera and, in 1595, a licence for the Court of First Instance. Since 1573 the minutes of the town council and extensive documentation from the last five centuries have been kept in the Municipal Historical Archive. Highlights include the oldest document: a letter from the Master of the Order of Calatrava which dates back to 1469.