Some information about the Baza area.
Baza and the surrounding area is becoming important for active tourism due to its natural wealth of contrasting landscapes and for its important sources of water.
The natural scenery includes Sierra de Baza Natural Park, a protected area of enormous ecological importance, the huge reservoir of El Negratin, the River Castril and the high peak of the Cerro Jabalcon which offers breathtaking views of the surrounding area.
Sierra de Baza Natural Park covers in excess of 52,000 hectares and contains peaks over 2,000 metres. This beautiful natural area with its pine and oak forests, deep gullies and watercourses is populated by a rich flora and fauna which includes large birds of prey such as the Golden Eagle and the Egyptian Vulture.
The Natural Park is crisscrossed by a wide range of well signed paths and recreational areas.
El Negratin is the third most important reservoir in Andalucia. It is surrounded by an unique semi desert known as The Badlands, a lunar like landscape of unparalleled beauty. The lake has an artificial beach and water sports. It is dominated by the peak of Cerro (hill) Jabalcon, rising over 1,400 metres and offering spectacular views.
Baza was occupied by the Iberians between the 4th and 3rd century BC. The City of Basti (Baza) was their capital. A statue dated around the 4th century was found here in the Cerro del Santuario (sanctuary Hill). The original is in Spain’s National Archaeological Museum, but smaller versions can be seen in Baza and a full size replica is in the departure lounge at Granada airport. The Iberians were defeated by the Romans, then by the Visigoths and later by the Muslims who lived in this area from the 8th century. It was during the Roman times that the hot springs of Zujar were first used. Today they are converted into modern baths where you can sit and overlook lake Negratin all day for the princely sum of 2€ per day. There is also a circular restaurant on the site that serves good food and drink.
Baza is well known for its Arabic Baths which have been in the process of being preserved. They are reputedly the best preserved baths in Spain, along with some in Cordoba and Granada. There seems to be quite a lot of ongoing work on the baths and though they are not currently open all year round they do open them at certain times in the year. There is little doubt that this stunning archaeological gem will be a site of pilgrimage for many in the future.
Baza has a lot of old buildings, not surprisingly for such a religious place, many churches or convents. There is;
1. Iglesia de la Merced.
2. Iglesia de los Dolores.
3. Iglesia Presentacion.
4. Iglesia Santiago.
5. Colegiata Encarnacion (The large cathedral in the main Plaza).
6. Monasterio S. Jeronimo
There is also the
7. Alcazaba (12th century remnants of the old Islāmic fortress)
7. Ayunamiento Viejo (the renaissance town hall, a beautiful
building).
8. Fuente de los Canos Dorados.
9. Palacio de los Enriquez (an amazing building that requires some attention).
10. Old slaughterhouses dating from the 16th century.
11. Palace of El Infantado’s Duke from the 15th century.
There are also the old Arabic and Jewish areas with their small alleyway style streets that send your senses reeling back across the centuries. One day I saw an elderly gentleman walking through the streets near the centre of town with his donkey. He reached a house, opened the door and led the donkey inside…Some old ways never change.
Old houses in Baza.
