Iznájar is situated near the southern border of the Córdoba region in Spain and serves as a natural entrance to the Sierra Subeticas natural park.
The town is north of Archidona on the map, with Rute to the north-west and, beyond that Lucena. Priego de Córdoba lies to the north-east with Jáen a little further on.
The town was originally a prehistoric Iberian settlement, but flourished in the eighth century when arab settlers, in the wake of the 711AD invasion by Tariq Ibn Zayid and his Moorish armies, built a castle on the promontory and called it Hins Ashar', which over the centuries has evolved into the modern Spanish name.
The ruins of the castle still look over the area and are worth a visit just for the history.
Below the town is a 32km long lake named after the town, and also known as the Lake of Andalucia. This lake, though a long way from the sea, has it's own beach, pedaloes, windsurfers, and even a beach bar.
During the summer when the water levels drop the beach appears complete with stone tables and barbecue areas. These are hidden during the winter when the rains are falling on the mountains.
From all parts of the modern town you will see the ruins of the ancient castle still keeping a watchful eye over everything that happens.
Famous for some of the finest fishing in the whole of the region, Lake Iznájar is actually a man made reservoir which can contain up to 900 million cubic metres of water for domestic consumption.
Iznájar is a typical unspoilt Spanish town with winding streets leading to the castle and church. Banks, supermarkets, pharmacies and other types of shopping, along with numerous bars and resturaunts, can be found whilst meandering through the streets.
Being located only 15 mins from the autovia, 40 mins from Granada and 90 mins from Sevilla, it is ideally situated as a base for sightseeing. The autovia makes even a day trip to Gibraltar possible with an easy drive of around two hours.
Lake Iznájar is actually a man made reservoir designed to capture and store a huge amount of drinking water for the whole of the region. At full capacity it holds almost a billion cubic metres of water.
The town of Iznájar is a pleasant unspoilt typical Spanish town with numerous streets winding away from the castle and the church. Modern life is visible with banks, supermarkets, fashion stores and pharmacies apparent, plus a fair share of bars and restaurants.
Iznájar is conveniently located only fifteen minutes from the main dual carriageway running the length of the coast. Granada is less than an hour away, and Seville is only one and a half hours.
This makes Iznájar an ideal base for sightseeing and day trips, even Gibraltar is an easy journey.
The town itself is relatively unspoilt though modern day necessities of banks, supermarkets, fashion stores and pharmacies all available. The numerous small bars and restaurants mean that dining out is a pleasant experience. Many of the winding streets lead towards the castle and church, make sure you pay them a visit.
Many visitors arrive in Iznájar and then stay there for the whole of their holiday. You can lose yourself in the tiny alleys of whitewashed stone walls in the older part of the village, whilst the lower, newer district has the large town square called Plaza Nueva, from where there are spectacular views across the surrounding countryside, rich with beautiful silvery green olive trees.
The residents are friendly, speaking a little Spanish is a definite bonus, but are very traditional in their outlook. It is recommended that you dress conservatively as the fashion of holidaymakers to walk around the streets in bathing costumes or skimpy clothes will cause offence to many locals.
Worth visiting is the Iglesia de Santiago church, built over time during the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries, with a remarkable late addition in the form of a baroque altar piece. Also of interest is the shrine of the Ermita de la Antigua de la Piedad, which was built in the seventeenth century and features a curious domed vault, which leads on to an even more unusual eighteenth century dressing room.
Also inside the town itself will be seen evidence of the original fortified town walls, a testament to the importance of the area as a defensive position.
The Iglesia de Santiago church is well worth the time to pay it a visit. Built over a long period in the 1600 and 1700's it has a wonderful late addition of a baroque altar piece. Also built around that time was the shrine of the Ermita de la Antigua de la Piedad. This has a curious domed vault, which leads on to an even more unusual eighteenth century dressing room.
The whole of the area of Iznájar has a vibrant social life with many fiestas celebrated throughout the year - most notably Semana Santa (Easter), Los Reyes (three kings or twelfth night) and the Fiesta de la Virgen. In september there is a local fiesta that runs for the whole of the second week.
So there you have it, a brief rundown of one of the most delightful towns that we have ever found, pay it a visit, you will enjoy it!
Many fiestas are celebrated throughout the year in Iznájar - most notably Semana Santa (Easter), In September there is a local fiesta that runs for the whole of the second week. Over the Christmas period there is Los Reyes (three kings or twelfth night) and the Fiesta de la Virgen.
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For luxurious guesthouse accommodation in Iznájar give Julie a call at Casa Brazos Abierto
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