What to do · Sierra de Cazorla
Castillo de la Yedra and the Museum of Popular Arts and Customs
Information
- Duration
- 1 h 15
- Season
- All year, Tuesday to Sunday
- Who it's for
- Everyone
The Castillo de la Yedra rises at 831 metres, on the skirt of the Cerro de Salvatierra and above the Cerezuelo river, and from its battlements you can see the whole of Cazorla. Its origin is probably Almohad, from the 12th century, and the Castilians completed it between the 13th and 15th centuries, hence the Gothic style of its rooms. Today it houses the Museum of Popular Arts and Customs of the Upper Guadalquivir, run by the Junta de Andalucía and created in 1983, with two sections: a historical one in the keep and another on life in the sierra in an adjoining building.
Three Rooms in the Keep
The tower holds the historical section. The first room is a chapel with a large Romanesque-Byzantine Christ surrounded by apostles painted in the 17th century. The armoury shows swords, crossbows and two suits of armour. The noble room, covered with a Gothic rib vault, has three 17th-century Flemish tapestries and 18th-century bargueño cabinets. Go right to the top: the view over the town, the river and the sierra is part of the visit.
Life in the Sierra, in the Annexe
In the adjoining building is the arts and customs section: farm tools, models of olive oil mills, Arab pottery found in the castle itself and a Cazorla kitchen set up with all its furnishings.
Seasonal Opening Hours
From 16 September to 31 May it opens Tuesday to Saturday from 10:00 to 20:30, and on Sundays and public holidays from 10:00 to 17:00. From 1 June to 15 September, Tuesday to Saturday from 9:00 to 15:30, and Sundays and public holidays from 10:00 to 17:00. It closes on Mondays, 1 January, 1 May and 25 December. The listing does not publish an entry price: ask on 953 101 402 or at [email protected].
Walking Up from Santa María
The castle is at Camino de San Isicio, 45. You walk up from the Plaza de Santa María, next to the ruins and the Cerezuelo river vault, by a climb of about ten minutes. Do not try to drive up: the streets of the old town are narrow; leave the car in one of the Cazorla car parks.
The castle is closed on the Sunday by 4x4 through the reserve and the Castillo de la Yedra on this site. If you have spare afternoon time, the tourist train goes up to the viewpoints from the Plaza de la Constitución.
Tips
- Sundays, Until 17:00 On Sundays and public holidays it closes earlier than on weekdays.
- In Summer, Go in the Morning From June to mid September it closes at 15:30 from Tuesday to Saturday.
- Climb the Tower From the top you see the town and the Cerezuelo valley.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Castillo de la Yedra Open on Sundays?
Yes, from 10:00 to 17:00. It is closed on Mondays.
What Is Inside?
The Museum of Popular Arts and Customs of the Upper Guadalquivir: a chapel, an armoury, a noble room and a section on traditional life.
Can You Drive Up?
It is not advisable: you walk up from the Plaza de Santa María in about ten minutes.
How Much Does the Museum in the Castillo de la Yedra Cost?
The listing does not publish the price; confirm it by phone.
As a family
