Archivo Histórico Provincial de Jaén
The old University of Santo Domingo de Jaén, also known as the Old Royal Convent and University of Santa Catalina Mártir de Padres Dominicos, Old Royal Convent of Santo Domingo-University of Santa Catalina Mártir, or Colegio de Santo Domingo, is founded on a Moorish palace that was once owned by the governors of the Cora de Jaén, and ceded by King Juan I to the friars of the Order of Preachers in 1382.
Today nothing remains of that first building, perhaps being demolished when what was initially a school acquired the category of General Study of the secular clergy after the donation to the school made in 1503 by the XXIV Knight of Jaén, Juan Cerezo and his wife Francisca Peñalosa. In 1629 the building became the University of Secular, by Bula de Urbano VIII, and later and without the required Royal recognition became the University of Baeza. This omission became subject of lawsuits between the two towns.
After the Confiscation, the University became Casa de Beneficencia and later a Hospice for Men.
Nowadays the building serves as the Headquarters of the Provincial Historical Archive of Jaén.
Opening
Monday-Friday, 09:00-14:00 hrs
Saturday and Sunday, 10:30-13:30 hrs
Locatioin of Archivo Histórico Provincial de Jaén
Located on Calle Santo Domingo.