The Project
Jaén as a benchmark in astrotourism
The province of Jaén has become a benchmark for astrotourism thanks to the quality of its night sky, its privileged geographical location and the region’s firm commitment to defending the Right to Starlight. These are some of the factors that make Jaén an exceptional destination for astronomical observation:
- Certified dark skies: 70.8 % of Jaén’s surface area is protected as Starlight Reserves. Jaén hosts the world’s first Astronomical Corridor made up of four Starlight Reserves – Sierra Sur de Jaén, Sierra Mágina, Sierra de Cazorla and Sierra de Segura. This status endorses the purity and darkness of its night skies, ensuring optimum conditions for stargazing and astrotourism.
- Low light pollution: Much of the province enjoys dark skies with little light pollution, boasting night-sky brightness values above 21.4 mag/arcsec² – giving clear views of the Milky Way, constellations and deep-sky objects.
- High transparency and atmospheric clarity: On over half the nights, the seeing is better than 1.4”, allowing two very close celestial objects – such as binary stars – to be distinguished. Likewise, on more than 50 % of nights the sky shows high transparency, with visible extinction < 0.15 mag.
- Over 250 clear nights a year: The Mediterranean climate and sierran altitude ensure a high number of clear nights, ideal for astrotourism.
- Natural and cultural surroundings: Beyond its pristine skies, Jaén offers rich landscapes and heritage that let visitors combine astronomy with nature activities, hiking, oleotourism, gastronomy, ethnotourism, culture and history.
The Jaén Astronomical Corridor Project
The Astronomical Corridor of Jaén stems from a co-operation project between the Rural Development Groups of Sierra Sur de Jaén, Sierra de Segura, Sierra Mágina and Sierra de Cazorla under sub-measure 19.3 of the Andalusia Rural Development Programme 2014-2020. The project, coordinated by the Sierra Sur de Jaén Rural Development Group, has created the world’s first – and only – Astronomical Corridor: a network linking four regions whose skies, certified as Starlight Reserves, offer exceptional conditions for observing the firmament and for astrotourism – Sierra Sur de Jaén, Sierra Mágina, Sierra de Cazorla and Sierra de Segura.
The initiative is supported by the Jaén Provincial Council and funded 90 % by the European Union through the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) and 10 % by the Regional Government of Andalusia.
Project Objectives
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Protect
and conserve the night sky
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Guarantee
the inalienable Right of Humankind to the Light of the Stars.
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Promote
astrotourism as a driver of sustainable development in rural areas
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Create
a network of high-value environmental and ecological areas connected under the Starlight Reserve designation
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Advance
astronomy both as a science and as a tool for safeguarding the values linked to it – whether cultural, scientific, astronomical, scenic or natural
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Highlight
the importance of the night sky for culture, science and the environment
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Forge
territorial cooperation ties to protect the exceptionally good night skies that still survive in Jaén’s rural areas
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Contribute
to the adaptation to and mitigation of climate change
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Develop
an innovative tourism product – the first of its kind in the world
Starlight Reserve
An International RecognitionThe first step in creating the Corridor was to have the four sierras certified as Starlight Reserves, an accolade that guarantees the high quality of their night skies for observing the heavens. In December 2024, Sierra Mágina, Sierra de Cazorla and Sierra de Segura gained certification, while Sierra Sur de Jaén renewed the status it had held since 2014.
A Starlight Reserve is a protected natural area that undertakes to defend the quality of the night sky and access to the light of the stars. Its role is to preserve night-sky quality and the various associated values – cultural, scientific, astronomical, scenic or natural.
Certification is granted by the Starlight Foundation, although the Starlight Initiative as a whole is a joint action of the Instituto Astrofísico de Canarias (IAC) and UNESCO, with support from the International Astronomical Union (IAU) and the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO).
Project Actions
Taking firm steps to protect and share our sky
To turn this idea into reality, the Jaén Astronomical Corridor has carried out a range of actions:
- Identification of astrotourism sites and resources in every sierra.
- Creation of the Jaén Astronomical Corridor brand and its official website.
- Publication of the Astrotourism Guide to the Jaén Astronomical Corridor, featuring the best observation sites and experiences.
- Production of audiovisual material such as videos and night photography.
- Design of astrotourism experiences that combine astronomy with culture, heritage and nature.
- Training specialised astrotourism guides.
- Support for tourism companies so they can add astrotourism to their offer.
- Outreach in educational centres covering astronomy, science and climate change.
- Introductory night-astrophotography workshops.
- Guided night-hiking routes open to all audiences.
In short, the Jaén Astronomical Corridor is a unique space where nature, science and tourism come together under one sky.
