Historic Route
Walk through the main monuments of Loja's old town, from the medieval Alcazaba to the Church of the Incarnation. A stroll through centuries of history where every street tells a story.
2-3 hours
Easy-Moderate
The route, step by step
Alcazaba de Loja, at the highest point of the historic quarter.
Iglesia Mayor de la Encarnación (Main Church of the Incarnation), in the monumental centre.
Linear route, from top to bottom: it starts at the highest point of the historic quarter and ends in the centre.
This is the city's panoramic monumental route: it brings together, in a single walk, the Andalusi fortress, the streets of the old town and the great Christian temple — several eras in a row. If you're only interested in Nasrid Loja, the Nasrid route is more specific; if temples are your thing, the Christian route goes deeper.
The demanding part is the initial climb up to the Alcazaba, at the highest point of the historic quarter. From there the route descends through narrow, steep streets of the old town, with cobbled stretches and constant changes in elevation.
Start early in the morning to avoid the heat. Bring water and wear comfortable shoes for the cobblestone slopes.
Tips to do it right- •Do it in this order (from the Alcazaba downwards): climbing first and descending afterwards avoids the worst slope at the end.
- •Wear closed shoes with good grip: there are uneven, cobbled stretches.
- •In summer, go early morning or late afternoon: the upper part of the old town has little shade.
Stops:
Alcazaba de Loja
A Hispano-Muslim fortress built in the 9th century, a Site of Cultural Interest, raised over Iberian and Roman remains. Within its walls stands the Museo Histórico Municipal de la Alcazaba (Municipal History Museum), with municipal archaeology rooms and a model of the Andalusi city, plus the Torre del Homenaje (Homage Tower), the most studied part of the complex.
From the Alcazaba you head straight down into the web of streets of the old town surrounding the fortress.
Old town
The maze of streets that grew at the foot of the fortress: a narrow, irregular layout of Andalusi origin, whitewashed houses, corners and slopes. This is the part of Loja where you best understand how the medieval city was organised.
Heading down from the old town brings you to the monumental surroundings of the Main Church.
Iglesia Mayor de la Encarnación
Loja's great temple after the 1486 conquest. Its tower, alongside the silhouette of the Alcazaba, forms the city's most recognisable image from anywhere in the valley.