History

The first settlers of the AREA date back to the Calcolithic period, though the origins of the present village are related with a place called Cerro Miguelico.

When the Carthaginians arrived in the Peninsula, the village was known as Osaria Bitosiria.

During the al-Andalus period, the neighbours of this village were forced to move to Martos which, just like the other villages in the region, strengthened its defences due to the proximity of the border with the Christian kingdoms.

King Fernando III reconquered the village in 1243, and fixed his residence near the village, before the conquest of Jaen. After the conquest, the village belonged to Jaen.

In 1804, King Carlos IV granted the Village charter in return of 7,500 maravedies (an old Spanish coin) per neighbour.

Eminent citizens
Juanito Valderrama, flamenco artist.
Alfonso Parras Vilches, painter.