What to see in Jaén?
Jaén is a Spanish city and municipality in the autonomous community of Andalusia, capital of the province of the same name. It holds the title of "Very Noble and Very Loyal City of Jaén, Guard and Defense of the Kingdoms of Castile" and is known as the "capital of the Holy Kingdom. It stands at the foot of the Santa Catalina hill, with steep streets and steep slopes that define its urbanism, widening towards the flatter and wider areas of the new neighborhoods and boulevards. In its surroundings there is an abundance of fertile farmland, and extensive olive groves that cover a large part of its area. Among its historical-artistic heritage, it is worth highlighting the cathedral of the Assumption of the Virgin, the castle with its three fortresses, the Arab Baths and the emblematic Monument to the Battles, located in the central Plaza de las Batallas, which commemorates the battle of Las Navas de Tolosa and the battle of Bailén, both taking place in the province of Jaén.
Jaen Cathedral
The current cathedral was conceived in the 16th century to replace the previous Gothic temple from the 15th century. The construction lasted for several centuries, despite which the original idea was maintained. The chapter house and the sacristy stand out, which are the masterpiece of Andrés de Vandelvira, and one of the most important works of the Spanish Renaissance. In 2008, the procedure began for the Jaén Cathedral to be declared a World Heritage Site, considering that it served as a model for the construction of other cathedrals in Spain and America.
Santa Catalina Castle
The castle of Santa Catalina is an old defensive construction with a Christian-medieval finish, which crowns the hill of the same name, on a foothills of the Sierra de Jabalcuz at an altitude of 820 m, from which you can see the entire city of Jaén, the olive groves and the surrounding mountains of the area. The entire southern perimeter lacks towers, being built on a vertical escarpment. In this area there is a postern and an overhang, which houses a latrine. On the other hand, on its northern perimeter there are three towers, two of them barracks and a third, next to the access door. Finally, there is a fifth tower, pentagonal, at the eastern end of the enclosure. The parade ground is large, and there are remains of various buildings, including two cisterns and a bastion.
Arab baths
The Arab Baths of the city of Jaén, known as Baño del Niño (in Arabic, Hamman al-Walad) are located in the basements of the Villardompardo Palace. They have an area of 450 m², which makes them probably the largest in Spain, and they are visited by more than 55,000 people a year.
Iberian museum
It houses the largest collection of Iberian art in the world, including several existing collections in the Museum of Jaén and other funds, and those that provide new archaeological finds, with the intention of becoming an international reference.
The Tascas of Jaén
When it's time to eat or have a beer, Jaén's tapas take center stage, surprising travelers from outside the province. But not only that, today we are talking about one of the most charming corners, the bars of Jaén. An essential visit when you come to the city. The tascas of Jaén are traditional, small bars, with a large influx of people, so having some tapas at one of the tables will be possible if you go early enough or if you are lucky, although the bar or barrels can also be a good option. On the other hand, some of them have rooms to enjoy their cuisine around the table.