You are here:

Jaén City

Jaén introduction

View of the Cathedral from the Santa Catalina Castle

The city of Jáen is part of an extensive municipal district which has a large amount of open countryside to its north, and asmaller mountainous area to its south which has, between its mountain ranges, the regions of Sierra Sur y Sierra Mágina.

Download the tourist brochure for the City of Jaén here

Traje típico de Jaén. El traje de hombre se conoce como chirri. En cuanto a la mujer, su traje es conocido como el de pastira.

In the countryside area of Campiña, which occupies the majority of the region, cultivation of olive groves is the major activity, although there are areas dedicated to the cultivation of cerals and also irrigation (the lowlands of the rivers Guadalquivir and Guadalbullón).

Its large and various natural spaces are more an attraction to visitors. In the south you will find interesting natural enclaves such as the Cañada de las Hazadillas, Puerto Alto, Jabalcuz, amongst others, as well as the possibility of participating in open air activities such as rock climbing, potholing or hiking, not to forget the cultural richness of many of its villages.

Just 2 kilometres from the city is the Peña del Castro, rocky monoliths, in the style of small mountain masses of great height ideal for contemplating the majestic scenery of the city and its surroundings and olive groves. 12 kilometres away from the city is Los Cañones de Otiñar, rural surroundings where the the drop of Bríncola is located, being caused by the rough narrowing of the river Quiebrajano between virtually vertical sides, ideal for mountaineering.

Jaén is an unknown city to the majority who simply use the bypass and carry on to Granada or the Costa del Sol. Nevertheless, Jaén is a city, and a province, which offers plentiful attractions for the visitor.

From the contemplation of its beautiful structures, the majority being Renaissance Andalucian, to enjoying the best preserved Arab baths in Spain, even if they can only be seen with difficulty, or buying some unique arts, or eating the unequalled pipirrana in one of its plentiful bars, Jaén is a city which knows how to overcome its status as a “drive past” city and offers generous friendliness to anyone who wishes to stay there.

Jaén is one of the oldest cities in Spain and recentlyes the Neolithic site of Marroquíes Bajoswas discovered in the north of the city, which dates from approximately 2,500BC, with housing arranged in concentrated circles and an incipient hydraulic infrastructure.

Jaén then became a Caragene camp, before going on to become Roman, who gave it the name of "Auringis" or "Aurgi", due to the presence of gold. Some remains of that era can still be found today.

Map of Jaén City

Selection

Province

City center

center map:

(37.76830, -3.78929)

zoom:

See large map of Jaén City >>>

HOTELS IN JAEN, Reserve now!

Vídeo of Jaén

Video of visualtravel (click on Visualtravel for more videos of Spain)

After the visigoth era, Muslim domination by the "Geen" denomination extended until the conquest by Fernando III "el Santo" in 1246. After this date Jaén became head of its own kingdom and one of the biggest cities in Europe.

Amidst its extensive hitorical and artistic legacy some buildings stand out for their religious manner of construction: the Cathedral, which was started in 1534 on top of the old Grand Mosque, was built under the stewardship of Andrés de Vandelvira to a Renaissance plan; the Church of San Ildefonso, of Gothic style; the Royal Monastery of Santa Clara, founded in the 18th Century; the Parish Church of San Andrés, of Mudejar style; the Royal Convent of Santo Domingo, founded in 1382 and which represents one of Vandelvira’s main works.

Amongst civilian constructions the most outstanding ones are: the Castle of Santa Catalina, converted into the National Parador of Tourism, as well as the ramparts of the city; the Palce of the Vélez, of which only the main façade remains; the Palace of the Nicuesa, of typically Andalucian style; the Palace of the Condestable Miguel Lucas de Iranzo, of Mudejar style and dating back to the 15th Century; and the House of D. Cristóbal de Vilches.

Finally, there is the Provincial Museum, which counts among its artefacts a façade coming from the destroyed Church of San Miguel and others from the old granary. This has been declared a National Monument.

1 2 >> Next

Add to del.icio.us