What to see in Jaén?
Jaén is a Spanish city and municipality in the autonomous community of Andalusia, and the capital of the province of the same name. It holds the title of "Very Noble and Very Loyal City of Jaén, Guardian and Defender of the Kingdoms of Castile" and is known as the "capital of the Holy Kingdom." It rises at the foot of Santa Catalina Hill, with steep streets and pronounced slopes that define its urban layout, widening towards the flatter, more spacious areas of the newer neighborhoods and boulevards. The surrounding area is abundant with fertile farmland and extensive olive groves that cover much of its territory. Among its historical and artistic heritage, the Cathedral of the Assumption of the Virgin, the castle with its three alcázars (fortresses), the Arab Baths, and the emblematic Monument to the Battles, located in the central Plaza de las Batallas (Battles Square), stand out. This monument commemorates the Battle of Las Navas de Tolosa and the Battle of Bailén, both of which took place in the province of Jaén.
Jaén Cathedral
The current cathedral was conceived in the 16th century to replace the previous 15th-century Gothic church. Construction continued for several centuries, yet the original design was maintained. The chapter house and sacristy stand out as the masterpiece of Andrés de Vandelvira and one of the most important works of the Spanish Renaissance. In 2008, the process began to have Jaén Cathedral declared a World Heritage Site, as it was considered to have served as a model for the construction of other cathedrals in Spain and the Americas.
Santa Catalina Castle
Santa Catalina Castle is an ancient defensive structure of Christian-medieval construction, crowning the hill of the same name on a spur of the Sierra de Jabalcuz mountain range at an altitude of 820 meters. From its vantage point, the entire city of Jaén, the olive groves, and the surrounding mountains can be seen. The entire southern perimeter lacks towers, as it is built upon a vertical escarpment. This section contains a postern gate and a projecting structure housing a latrine. In contrast, the northern perimeter features three towers: two barbican towers and a third next to the entrance gate. Finally, there is a fifth, pentagonal tower at the eastern end of the enclosure. The large parade ground contains the remains of various structures, including two cisterns and a bastion.
Arab Baths
The Arab Baths of the city of Jaén, known as the Baño del Niño (in Arabic, Hamman al-Walad), are located in the cellars of the Villardompardo Palace. They cover an area of 450 m², making them probably the largest in Spain, and 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 Jaén Museum and other funds, and those provided by new archaeological findings, with the intention of becoming an international benchmark.
The Taverns of Jaén
When it comes to lunch or a beer, Jaén's tapas take center stage, captivating visitors from outside the province. But that's not all; today we're talking about one of its most charming spots: the tascas of Jaén. A must-see when you visit the city. Jaén's tascas are small, traditional bars, always bustling with customers, so getting a table for tapas is possible if you arrive early enough or are lucky. The bar or the barrels are also great options. Some even have dining rooms where you can enjoy their cuisine around a table.