Jaén is a picturesque and sparsely populated province located at the foot of Mount Santa Catalina in the Andalusia region. This area has always attracted attention for its indescribable natural beauty, mountainous landscapes, fertile lands, and favorable climate. Historically, these lands were the subject of fierce struggles between the Romans, Arabs, and Christians, each of whom took turns controlling the city.

Attractions in Jaén
Jaén’s main architectural pride is its Cathedral, whose construction began in the 16th century and was completed only in the early 18th century. This magnificent structure fuses various architectural styles from different eras: elements of Gothic and Baroque can be seen here, although Renaissance has always predominated. Inside the cathedral is a significant religious relic for Christians: the Veil of Veronica. It is believed that Saint Veronica gave this veil to Christ, and his imprint remained on it. The cathedral is beautiful both outside and inside. To admire its interior, you can visit it outside of church hours.

Most of Jaén’s main attractions are located in the Old Town, particularly in its oldest section, known as the Magdalena quarter, or La Malena. Here you can find the famous monument, the Magdalena Lizard.

Near the monument is the Church of Saint Mary Magdalene, one of the most important in the city, dating back to the 16th century. In the 9th century, a Visigoth temple stood on this site, and later a mosque, which was later converted into a church. The mosque’s Arabic-style atrium with a small pond still remains. The Villadompardo Palace, built in the 16th century for the Spanish nobleman Fernando Torres de Portugal, Count of Villadompardo and Viceroy of Peru, is also located in the city’s historic center. In the 11th century, the largest complex of Arab baths in Europe stood on this site. Today, the ruins of these baths remain and can be viewed in the palace’s basement.