Mengíbar
This village is situated to the north of the capital, between the Guadalquivir and Guadalbullon rivers, in a landscape covered with olive and fruit trees and cereal fields.
In the village we can find some interesting buildings and monuments, such as a Renaissance and Baroque Church, a beautiful Arab Tower, the Town Hall and the Palace of the Condes de Garcíez.
History
The Iberian settlement of Ossigi, which Pliny situated next to Mengibar, was the scene for many battles between the Romans and Hannibal, the Carthaginian General. With the defeat of the Carthaginians, the Romans imposed strong taxes on the Iberian villages; Ossigi refused to pay and some years later the village was laid waste and the people put to the sword.
King Fernando III reconquered the village, and gave it to the Order of Santiago.
The name of Mexibar appeared during the reign of King Alfonso X.
In 1574, King Felipe II made it independent from Jaen's jurisdiction in return for the sum of 22.500 ducats.
In 1808, during the War of Independence, it was the scene of the first defeat of Napoleon's Cuirassiers.
