Located in the province of Jaen, Baños de la Encina is nestled in the Sierra Morena, next to the Rumblar reservoir. Dating from the Caliphate era, its fortress was built by al-Hakam and completed in 968, forming the object of continuous battles between Muslims and Christians owing to its strategic location controlling access to Andalusia.

Baños de la Encina has succeeded in preserving a rich artistic heritage. It was declared a Historic-Artistic Site in 1969, and retains a strong identity with clear signs of its historical importance: from the caliphate castle to the parish church of Gothic origin, from the baroque exuberance of its sanctuary's niche to the emblazoned austerity of the Council, and from its stately palaces to its 18th-century mills.

The Ermita del Cristo del Llano is for many visitors the unexpected highlight of their visit to Baños de la Encina: the rich polychrome plasterwork of its spectacular camarín (niche behind the altar) is decorated with hundreds of allegorical figures, saints, musical angels, and natural motifs including exotic birds, fruits and vegetables.

Baños de la Encina boasts an exquisite gastronomy, closely linked to the local natural resources of its lands and characterised by the generous use of aromatic herbs, mountain game and vegetables.

Try 'cucharro': a roll, the top part of which is scooped out and filled with virgin olive oil, a little salt and a chopped ripe tomato, accompanied by bacon, sardines or olives.

Hunting is also a great tradition, resulting in dishes such as 'venado a la bañusca,' deer meat marinated with vegetables, aromatic herbs and wine, and then fried; or 'rollo bañuelo,' a traditional dish accompanying the pilgrimage of the Virgen de la Encina.