Iznajar Information

Iznajar is situated near the southerly border of the province of Cordoba and is a natural entrance to the Sierra Subeticas Natural Park. It is a small town with about 6,000 inhabitants.

Iznajar sits on Lake Iznajar - a reservoir created some years ago, which can contain up to 900 million cubic metres of water for domestic consumption.

A bridge has been built across the reservoir near Iznajar to make access easier. Iznajar is the perfect place for anyone wanting to avoid the high cost of purchasing property on the coast while maintaining sea views.

The Valdearenas Beach is on the lake shore and boasts clear, blue water that is safe for even children to swim or play in. The beach disappears during the winter months when the water level is high. But in summer, as the water drops, the beach appears along with the stone tables and barbecues. The lake also provides excellent coarse fishing and competitions are held along its banks.

Originally the village was a prehistoric Iberian settlement, flourishing in the eighth century when Arab settlers built a castle and called it ‘Hins Ashar’. Iznajar gained brief notoriety in 1861 when the town supported an unsuccessful uprising against the monarchy led by Rafael Perez del Alamo.

The ruins of the castle are a key attraction for visitors although they are in a poor state of repair. Parts of the fortified town walls can also be seen in the upper parts of the town.

Another attraction is the Iglesia de Santiago built during the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries, but with a latter addition of a Baroque altar piece. The cemetery next to the church only dates back to 1806.

One of the most interesting districts of Iznajar is the Barrio del Coso, which is a labyrinth of typical whitewashed Andalucian houses. Another interesting visit is to the shrine of the Ermita de la Antigua that was built in the seventeenth century and features a domed vault leading on to an unusual eighteenth century dressing room.

The small municipal museum is dedicated to Iznajar’s agricultural heritage and local customs.

A major pork producing region, Iznajar’s cuisine boasts some of the best pork products to be found in the area. During the February carnival the local sausage is traditionally stuffed with eggs, bread, ham and turkey. Other classic Andalucian dishes are also well represented in Iznajar.

The most important festivals are: Semana Santa, the day of San Marcos on 25 April where all the townsfolk have a mass picnic in the countryside and the annual September fair, or Feria, from 7th to 10th September.