Unknown by Jaén (III): looking for Jorge Manrique
Segura de la Sierra is traversed with bated breath, walking its slopes between paved corners, chasing our shadows on the whitewashed walls of streets that twist. Occasionally, must look up to admire its impressive castle, perched on a hill that always seems distant. No wonder that the ancient chronicles speak of a village "founded upon a rock alive". This town Jaen located in the heart of the Sierra de Segura leads to a controversial dress of glory: the birthplace of a famous man, Jorge Manrique, the poet cried his father with immortal verses of tears. They do not care, nothing more, that the official story point to the town of Paredes de Nava Palencia as the place where he was born. Makes it very clear in the stone facade with which we come up from the square of the Knights: "In this house was born and lived the immortal poet Jorge Manrique". On the arch supported by Ionic columns shield, that of the Figueroa, the poet's mother's family. On one side, a sign "For Sale" and two telephones. The Casa de Jorge Manrique, you can not visit, is privately owned and is in the market.
In Segura can not wield a birth certificate endorse the poet was born here, but have, ensure, with documents showing that his mother, Dona Mencia de Figueroa, in the village was about to give birth in 1434. Since that time that her husband, Rodrigo Manrique, Commander of the Order of Santiago, is located in the making Huéscar, considered unlikely that his wife accompany him on so heavily pregnant. Jorge Manrique, therefore, would have been born here, swear and perjure, and this would have happened, also, their early years. A poet's evocative statue near the New Gate, the natural entrance to the historic center, takes care to remind tourists that Manrique is one of their own.
The beauty of the place deserves a visit justly regardless of whether to give her unborn Manrique here or not, namely
It happens that Segura de la Sierra has no need to get into these fights, at least for purposes of tourism promotion, since the beauty of the place deserves a visit justly outside that would be born Manrique here or not, namely. Few sights more impressive than that seen from a bend in the road just before reaching the village. The imposing fortress perched the hill as sustained by a pedestal, Safe houses scattered in his shadow down the slope. An unforgettable medieval stamp, a castle that has a magnetism impossible to circumvent, it forces you to walk up the parade, to dive into Arabic Bath, to go their way round, to let themselves be swallowed up by the intricate stone staircase Tower of Homage, dynamited by the French in the war of independence and raised again the last century.
The room where the family lived Manrique (the poet's father, don Rodrigo, was commander of Safe and Master of the Order of Santiago, to which belonged the castle) can also be visited on the second floor. There, wrapped in the gloom, Visitors can listen to the imaginary dialogue (based on the universal verses of Manrique) between father and son.
The forests that shelter these mountains provided at the time the wood needed to build the ships of Columbus and the fleet of the Armada
Apart from this brief encounter with the poet does not forget to enjoy the exceptional views from the terrace of the Tower of Homage, where one can get a perfect idea of strategic importance as a bulwark Secure Border, as ancestral passage between the Mediterranean and the Castilian plateau. And not only strategic: forests that harbor these mountains provided at the time the wood needed to build the ships of Columbus and the fleet of the Armada.
We now bound Chiclana de Segura, where he also lived birthplace Manrique and his son Louis. If Segura de la Sierra is attached to the mountain, as astride, Chiclana has been introduced into it literally, horadándola to give rise to what, still, remains the most distinguishing mark: troglodyte houses. To 150 caves are registered with the municipality to which, how could it be otherwise, is entered through a tunnel, built more than half a century. Chiclana, that goes far in the effort to put an interpretation center of Jorge Manrique, is a town of steep slopes where one can still cross with full saddlebags donkeys. Jorge Manrique inherited from his father the old castle, of which nothing remains today, except a panoramic terrace on the top of the village, in the same place where he rose. "From here he wrote the researchers understand Juan Peña and Juan Hervas in his book "The County monumental"- Chiclana have a broken heart from La Mancha, to which he belonged for six centuries, and Andalusia ", to which was attached Jaén 1833.
Chiclana is a town of steep slopes where one can still cross with full saddlebags donkeys
It is very entertaining to go with the medieval magic of Chiclana and dig into the past and present of its troglodyte houses. The former torture chamber of the Inquisition was conditioned as a nightclub. Still hanging from his ceiling disco ball, that al arrancaría dancing Travolta himself, and withered garlands of holidays past. In which it was blacksmithing castle there is now a tavern, "The Cave", where diners realize the food in the bowels of the rock. Some caves have been incorporated into the housing and used as storage, others are simply abandoned and are crossed with a chill, imagining the harsh conditions of life of its inhabitants makes only 40 years.
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By A-4 (Motorway of Andalusia), Bailen deviate the road to Albacete. Ubeda and Villanueva last Archbishop leads the A-314, left, Chiclana and, right, Segura, northeast of the province of Jaen.
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The most original proposal recovery troglodyte caves in Chiclana is, certainly, which flag Javier Gomez, a young entrepreneur who decided to convert two of them in cottages, "The Tabaque" and "Casa Grande", in the hill of the watchtower (www.atalayadelsegura.com). The result of the work is amazing and spend a weekend here isolated from routine, a unique experience. Do not miss trying the ajomortero, pisto manchego and squash with tomato sanjuanera, typical local.
In Segura de la Sierra, "The Bureau Segureña" (www.lamesadesegura.com) is a good choice to sit and enjoy a good meal in the warmth of the fireplace. In summer, the terrace, with great views, Desktop promises endless.
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The two sites are also recommended to eat accommodation (check the tab "A table set"). In "The Bureau Segureña" (Segura de la Sierra) you can sleep in a rustic cottage from 60 euros a day with breakfast. In "Safe Watchtower", rural households have three or two bedrooms, all double.
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–Shemer Turismo (www.semerturismo.com), organizes trips in the region of Safe and guided tours of the Jaén less known in several languages.
-The more daring can take heart in Segura de la Sierra to try a unique experience: paragliding (accompanied by an expert) from the top of Helm, the highest mountain in the area. More information www.olivair.org. Ask for Dani.
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Comments (8)
Rosana Núñez
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Pardon, but to say that Jorge Manrique was born in Segura de la Sierra is to say that Columbus did in Seville. It is true that no single test, but most historians say Paredes de Nava as their place of birth.
Greetings
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The authors
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But you have read the text?: «…It matters little to them that the official history indicates the Palencia town of Paredes de Nava as the place where it came to the world ». Where we say that Segura was born in? You yourself are answered : "It is true that there are no unique tests". Greetings
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Paquillo
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Here in Jaen there is much evidence to show that Jorge Manrique was born here. His father was a commander in this area. In Sierra del Segura has always known a house called the Manriques as his birthplace. I share your complaint if it is selling.
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Hook
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Male, now questioning the origins of Palencia Jorge Manrique… I do not know where the Palencia born Jorge Manrique, the truth I do not care who lived or not this Palencia in Jaen, What is clear is that the Palencia born where they want.
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edurne
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But how many of these going on by the peasantry of Jorge Manrique have read his books? Let us bell and Dispute!
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Hook
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«Our lives are the rivers
that will give at sea,
which is death;
there are the domains
rights is ending
and consume;
rivers flow there,
there the other medium
and smaller,
and arrived, are equal
those who live by their hands
and the rich. "
Jorge Manrique (Verses for the death of his father)
It is true, After the, Who cares where this were Palencia?
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Vcedos
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In addition to the songs of Palencia are awesome, Jorge Manrique in Paredes de Nava has erected a magnificent monument (I think property of the National Museum of Sculpture) sculptor Julio Lopez Hernandez. Rodrigo Manrique , his father, was the first Count of Paredes 1452 ( among other titles in the north of Spain). Giving parenting a poet because he has a home plate that you want to sell does not seem irrefutable proof. Yet surely the town is beautiful and worth a visit. Thank you very much for the article.
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francisco
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Jorge Manrique sculpture, It has been made by the Hon Sr. D. Miguel Fuentes del Olmo, professor of sculpture at the Faculty of Fine Arts in Seville, It would be nice to put him in the text, a greeting. Francisco.
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