Siles, Spain facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Siles
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 Siles, Spain
Location in Province of Jaén (Spain)
Siles, Spain
Location in Andalusia
Siles, Spain
Location in Spain
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| Country |  Spain |
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| Autonomous community |
 Andalusia |
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| Province |  Jaén |
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| Area | ||
| • Total | 175 km2 (68 sq mi) | |
| Elevation | 826 m (2,710 ft) | |
| Population
(2018)
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| • Total | 2,262 | |
| • Density | 12.93/km2 (33.48/sq mi) | |
| Time zone | UTC+1 (CET) | |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+2 (CEST) | |
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Siles is a charming town and municipality in the south of Spain. It's located in the province of Jaén, within the beautiful autonomous community of Andalusia. Siles is nestled in the Sierra de Segura area, right next to the province of Albacete. In 2011, about 2,451 people lived here. A big part of Siles is inside the amazing Natural Park of Sierra de Cazorla, Segura and Las Villas.
Because of its location, Siles is mostly a forest town near a river. The main farming here is for olive trees. This farming area stretches from the southwest to the northeast, including the town center and a special part of the municipality to the northwest.
The town's economy relies on farming, especially olives, and tourism. Forest work and sheep farming also help the economy. Siles has many beautiful and varied natural places. These, along with different plants and animals, make the town very appealing to visitors.
Contents
What's in a Name? The Etymology of Siles
The name Siles might come from a few places. One idea is that it's from the many silos (places to store grain) found on a nearby hill called Cerro San Cristobal. Another idea is that it comes from the Latin word Sileo, which means "silence." This makes sense because the town is tucked away in a quiet valley between hills.
Where is Siles? Physical Geography
Siles is about 160 kilometers (about 100 miles) from Jaén city. It's 101 kilometers (about 63 miles) from Ubeda and 29 kilometers (about 18 miles) from Segura de la Sierra. Siles is one of the main ways to enter the Sierra mountains from the province of Albacete, especially if you're coming from Riopar.
A Journey Through Time: The History of Siles
Siles in Ancient Times: Al-Andalus
During the time of al-Andalus (when parts of Spain were ruled by Muslims), Siles was a busy and important place. It was known as Silis in old writings. The town had a strong castle-fortress. This castle was one of the most important defenses for controlling the roads from the east. Besides this main castle, there were other strongholds nearby like Peñafleita, Tasca, and the fortified town of Peña Horadada. These places made its location even more strategic. Silis was part of the Saqura District, which belonged to the Cora Yayyan (the area of Jaén). Old records show that during the Islamic period, the Sierra de Segura was home to many villages, forts, and castles where people could find safety.
In the late 1100s, different small kingdoms called Taifas formed. Silis was a disputed area between the Zirids of Granada and King Ibn Sumadih of Almeria. Ibn Sumadih took control of Silis in 1076-1077, but it was soon given back to the Zirids through an agreement.
The Christian Conquest and Santiago Order
Around 1230, the Knights of the Order of Santiago conquered Siles. They were led by Master Pelayo Perez Correa. Siles then became part of the large lands controlled by the Order, whose main base was in Segura de la Sierra.
After the conquest, Siles remained very important for its location. A good example of this is the siege by Yusuf I of Granada in 1339. He attacked with 1,500 knights and 6,000 foot soldiers.
The Christian army, led by Master Santiago Alonso Melendez de Guzman, managed to make the attackers leave. If the siege had succeeded, it would have put not only the border but also the important area of Cazorla at risk. Siles was part of the Kingdom of Murcia and the Segura region, belonging to the Order of Santiago. It was also under the authority of the Chancery of Granada and the Diocese of Cartagena.
Becoming a Villa and Later Years
In 1397, Siles was given the special title of "Villa." This title was given because the town had built walls around itself and three towers at its own expense. King Philip II of Spain later confirmed this title during his rule.
The town's defenses had three towers, plus a main fortress with two other large towers. Between these two towers was a house, and next to it, a church was built.
Rodrigo Manrique, the father of the famous poet Jorge Manrique, lived in this house for a long time. Don Rodrigo's presence in Siles meant that the town and its fortress were involved in the noble conflicts of the 1400s.
By the mid-1800s, the fortress was still standing. The town of Siles was divided into two parts. The oldest part, called Villa, was still surrounded by walls with its battlements and three gates. The rest of the village was known as New Town.
Must-See Spots: Places of Interest
Siles has many beautiful places that tourists love to visit. Some of the most well-known are Peña del Olivar, Las Acebeas, El Puntal, and La Fresnedilla.
- La Peña del Olivar: This is a lovely playground area. You can enjoy a meal outdoors here and explore the nearby Botanical Gardens, which are full of interesting plants.
- Las Acebeas: This place gets its name from a rare forest of holly trees that grows here. It's one of the wettest spots in the entire region and the second wettest in Andalusia, after Grazalema.
- El Puntal: This spot is located right across from Siles and is about 1,200 meters (nearly 4,000 feet) high. At the very top, there's a small building where firefighters watch for fires during the summer. From here, you can see amazing views of Siles, La Fresnedilla, and the surrounding area.
- Fresnedilla: Here, you can see the unique Stone Hole. This area is filled with large pine trees and thick undergrowth. As you move into Fresnedilla, the wide valleys and soft ground with olive trees give way to narrower valleys.
See also
In Spanish: Siles (Jaén) para niños
