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Jimena
de la
Frontera
is a
traditional
Spanish
hill
village
with
rows
of
white
painted
houses
lining
very
steep
and
narrow,
cobbled
streets.
It
lies
within
the
province
of
Cadiz,
in
Andalucia.
The
village
rises
high
into
the
clouds
where
at its
peak
stands
a
Moorish
and
Roman
castle
of
major
importance.
In
recent
years,
Jimena
has
become
the
hometown
of a
great
number
of
British
expatriates
who
probably
feel
the
need
to be
within
easy
distance
of
Gibraltar
for
work
and
shopping.
Within
the
village
are
many
bars
and
restaurants
and
several
places
to
stay.
There
is
also a
good
selection
of
shops.
It is
possible
to
drive
through
the
narrow
streets
to the
castle,
however
it is
a
pleasant
if not
energetic
walk
to the
peak.
Wear
sensible
shoes
and
take
care
if the
roads
are
wet.
its a
good
15
minute
walk
from
the
bottom
of the
village
but
the
views
from
the
top
are
well
worth
the
effort. |
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The
castle
stands
on
Jimena
Hill,
an
understandable
location
with
commanding
views
over
the
bay to
Gibraltar
and
Algeciras.
Although
the
castle
is of
Moorish
construction,
it has
Roman
origins.
A
Roman
statue
was
discovered
in the
early
1900's
when
robbers
were
stealing
stone.
The
statue
was
damaged
but is
now in
the
care
of the
council.
There
is
also a
Roman
inscription
at the
entrance
to the
castle
which
can be
dated
to
151A.D. |
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The
entrance
to the
castle
is by
means
of an
Islamic
style
horseshoe
arch
(pictured
below)
at the
base
of
which
stand
several
large
square
Roman
stones.
Within
the
castle
you
will
find
several
very
important
and
reasonably
preserved
structures,
such
as the
large
vaulted
cisterns
(pictured
left),
used
to
store
rain
water.
At the
northern
end of
the
castle
enclosure
stands
the
19th
century
cemetery.
Next
to
this
is a
marvellous
structure
once
used
for
storage
of
provisions.
The
beauty
of
this
castle
site
is the
fact
that
you
can
wander,
unhindered
around
the
enclosure,
admiring
the
views
over
the
valley. |
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The
castle
is
built
with
blocks
of
limestone
cut
from
local
rocks.
One of
its
main
features
is the
round
Tower
of
Homage
at the
south
end.
Much
of the
castle
still
has to
be
excavated
and it
is
likely
that
there
will
be a
Roman
structure
found
beneath
the
earth.
A
visit
to the
castle
is an
absolute
must
if you
are in
the
area
and
make
sure
that
you
visit
the
information
centre
at the
entrance
to the
castle
where
you
will
find
informative
guides
and a
selection
of
local
crafts
to
buy.
Jimena
de la
Frontera
is one
of
those
places
that
draws
you,
again
and
again.
If you
want
to see
real
Spain
then
this
is a
good
place
to
start. |
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