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The first stop on the old road to the Sanctuary of the Virgin of the Head is where pilgrims rest and have a light lunch before continuing their journey. Here you'll find several watering troughs so the horses can quench their thirst during the approximately 20-kilometer trek from the city of Andújar. A small chapel has also been built where pilgrims can pray to the Virgin.

Burgalimar Castle, also known as Baños de la Encina Castle, is an impressive fortress located in the town of Baños de la Encina, in the province of Jaén, Andalusia. This castle was built in the 10th century during the Caliphate of Córdoba, under the rule of Caliph Al-Hakam II. The castle is famous for its Islamic military architecture and its excellent state of preservation. It is surrounded by a robust crenellated wall with fourteen towers, as well as a keep of Christian origin. Its strategic location at the entrance to the Guadalquivir Valley made it an important defensive bastion during the Muslim era. Today, Burgalimar Castle is a national monument and a prominent tourist attraction, offering visitors the opportunity to explore its rich history and enjoy panoramic views of the region.

The Sanctuary of the Virgin of the Head is located in the Sierra de Andújar Natural Park. This sanctuary is one of the oldest in Spain, with a history dating back to the 13th century. It is known for its impressive Gothic architecture and religious significance, making it a very popular pilgrimage site. Every year, on the last weekend of April, a pilgrimage is held in honor of the Virgin of the Head, attracting thousands of pilgrims from all over Spain. During this festival, devotees climb the Cabezo hill, where the sanctuary is located, to pay homage to the Virgin.

Openings intended to place various means of defense from within the fortress to attack the enemy.

Access door to the interior of the fortress where we will find the ticket office to pay the price of the tickets. From €11 we can choose a package that includes a guided tour inside the castle, a visit to the church of San Mateo and later a visit to the Sanctuary of Cristo del Llano. Definitely worth it!

Views from outside the Castle from where we can see the impressive wall that surrounds it and can be seen from several kilometers away.

Since 1227, the date on which the apparition of the Virgin of the Head to Pastor Juan de Rivas is recorded, the celebration of the pilgrimage is commemorated on the last Sunday of April of each year, although the apparition took place on the night of the 11th. to August 12, 1227 in whose memory a kind of small pilgrimage is also celebrated on that date in the same Sanctuary of the Virgin of the Head.

The hermitage of San Ginés is an important milestone for pilgrim walkers who make the journey from Andújar to the Sanctuary of the Virgen de la Cabeza, along what is known as the old road or bridle path. San Ginés is the place where there is a kind of hill that leaves Andújar behind in the view, to soon resume the views of the Jándula river valley. Walkers usually stop there to rest and regain strength. The hermitage and its surroundings were also rehabilitated a few years ago.