Santo Tomé

Nature

Sao Tomé belongs to the region of Sierra de Cazorla, it is 548 m above sea level, occupying the northern part of the region.

The municipal term is a strip of land, much longer than wide, which extends east to west.

The Eastern half It is mountainous, made up of coniferous mountains and belongs to the Natural Park of Cazorla, Segura and Las Villas, reaching the first stretch of the Guadalquivir after its birth.

The Western half is land of the countrysidein which the olive grove dominates until it reaches the banks of the Guadalquivir. In the lower area, the herbaceous crops of dry and irrigation are developed in the Vega of the river.

If something characterizes the region is the variety in landscapes and ecosystems, with altitudes ranging from 2,100 m. in the Sierra de la Cabrillaup to the 360 m. near the Bridge of the Cerrada. The high peaks are mixed with deep ravines, soft reliefs and wide valleys, forests, olive groves, high mountain pastures and gardens, humid, dry and semi-desert areas.

The altitude progresses from west to east, but not continuously, but forming saw teeth. The natural characteristics of the territory have conditioned the use and traditional use of it: livestock, forestry, olive cultivation, cereal, orchards, hunting, fishing, collection of mushrooms and wild fruits, as well as a variety of popular crafts, spartum and wicker mainly.

These traditional uses have given way to new economic activities, mainly service companies, especially tourism in the area of the Natural Park.

At present the olive tree has been displacing the other crops, In the driest areas the almonds spatter in white spring.

By the term of Sao Tomé, among many other species are moved as emblematic as the grubb, cappuccino herrererillo, royal anade (azulon), ashtray, common badger, fox, European otter, boar, gill, gill, deer, mountain goat, guadiana's wedding, Andalusian barb, trout and staircase.

Among the enclaves with special interest, we mention:

• Borosa River Visitors Center. It focuses on the theme of the river ecosystem of the Borosa River, the most important tributary of the Guadalquivir in its first section of the route. The importance of water is shown in this news centre, with a model of the river and a series of panels that explain the water cycle. We will also be able to visit the farm of the Borosa River and practice fishing in the time of closure.

• The Erica. In this pedany we can enjoy contemplating a beautiful waterfall and typical coastal vegetation that surrounds a nearby stream. It is located to the east of the village of The Ericain the natural park of Cazorla, Segura and Las Villas.

Parties and Events

Sao Tomé has been an eminently agricultural population, so its festivities are very close to the agricultural tasks. These include:

• Saint Anton, January 17. This holiday is held with a bonfire made with the ramon from the pruning of the olive trees. Cosmeum of other times was "the marrillo of Saint Anton," who was taken care of by all the people and this day was auctioned or rifed among the neighbors.

• La CandelariaFebruary 2. Party where the "lumbres" and commemorating the Presentation of Jesus in the temple and the Purification of Mary.

• San Isidro Labrador, May 15. It is held in a place near the coast of Guadalquivir. It has the peculiarity that in the years of drought the saint was condemned to be bathed in the river, although it is true that some years were pardoned of such a peculiar practice. After sharing a monumental paella, in memory of the sisterhood food of other times, in which the less fortunate laborers were given.

• Immigrant party. It is celebrated in the first days of August in honor of all the Temeseños who in their day had to emigrate outside the municipality in search of better living conditions. This day there are many playful and sports activities, competitions and, of course, greens threatened by fantastic orchestras.

• Feast of St. Thomas and Our Lady of Remedies. It has a place of 25-27 September. It was a very old habit to run the bulls called "bagged," to which a wooden ball was placed on the horns, a serrana custom already lost.

Sao Tomé, like the whole Sierra de Cazorla, the traditional Fandango serrano. This standing rhythm fandango is danced on certain dates. At the pace of guitars and banners, a few coplas are sung that are improvised, and a true "pica" is raised among the attendees.

Gastronomy

With the arrival of the cold they also arrived the expected massacres who were taking up the loins and the prayers for the rest of the year. The killing also had the mission of establishing family and neighbourhood ties, and it had the connotations of a real party.

Among the most famous products is the "white bite," which does not carry pig blood.

These are typical dishes of Sao Tomé, among others:

• Tararinswhich in other places are called "rags." They carry as ingredients water, flour and salt for wafers. In the frying pan a saffrito of tomato, garlic, onion, green pepper, a little spicy and rabbit, hare or partridge. When cooked the meat is added the wafers and let be boiled. They're served in the same pan.

• "You fuck the poor." They're chips with pepper and eggs. A special dish if fried with olive oil from the area.

• "Fowl with rice and meat." A dish to which the less fortunate farmers were invited on San Isidro day. Today it has been replaced by a paella. This Romeria of San Isidro, is a good sample of the Roman viandas: "minced meat," "fried meat" and "peppers."

• Gachamita. It is a stew of flour, potatoes, olive oil, ingredients that are allowed to cook together, which require an expert hand to turn them into the pan so they can cook better.

• Rin-ran. Stew made from cooked potatoes and choriceros peppers accompanied by olive oil, cod strips, hard eggs and onions.

History

The oldest human remains found in the municipal term that reveal the human presence go back to Neolithic: Arrow tips, sickle teeth and machineries.

In the Copper age there was a site near the São Tomé Group, known by Montiel.

In the lands of Sao Tomé the call would take place Battle Baecula, won by the Roman general Scipion against the Carthaginese Asdrúbal Barca. A defeat that would be end of the Carthaginese domain in the Iberian Peninsula (Cerro de las Albashas)

During Roman times had an intense occupation through rustic villas, such as the The Graves. They have found tombstones and a peso, which are found in the Provincial Museum.

From its visionary past, a stone was found, which is also exposed in the Provincial Museum.

In the Muslim period would be one of the lockers that populated this land and that had a tower for your protection, which would later become the bell tower of the local church.

In 1,231, Sao Tomé, along with other peoples of the region, became part of the advance of Cazorla, heritage of the archbishopric of Toledo. It will be in 1,438 when the archbishopric authorizes D. Pedro Díaz de Toledo the the foundation of this population, where there was only one corijo and an old tower.

The Vizcounty of Sao Tomé was created in 1627 by Felipe IVin favor of Hernando de Quesada Mendoza and Toledo.

Other information

2 km. of the urban town is found Group of Sao Tomé, also known as Montiel. It is one of the nuclei of the New Populations as a result of the agricultural Colonization in Andalusia in the 1950s of the 20th century.