Jaén

Standing above the city like an everlasting defender, the castle itself or Alcázar Nuevo is a walled, almost triangular enclosure defended by six towers. Inside, there is a  Tourist Information Centre, offering visitors the chance to discover the history of the castle and the city.

Like most Andalusian cathedrals, the primitive cathedral of Jaén was created from a  former Muslim mosque. In the year 1492,  under the Bishopric of Don Luis de Osorio, work on a new church began by, Pedro López, with the help of Enrique Egas.

The capital city of north-eastern Andalucia, whose name is derived from the Arabic for 'crossroads of caravans,' Jaen has recently had a spurt in growth of tourism. Known for being the world capital of Olive Oil, the city is the largest producer in the world.

The least-known of Andalucia's provincial capitals, Jaen is a historic city which is famous for its superb olive oil, grown in the rolling fields which surround this ciudad dating back to Moorish times.

Jaen´s name comes from the Moorish word geen or jayyan, meaning stopping post on a caravan route. King Ferdinand III captured the city from Ibn-Nasr, who subsequently founded the Nasrid kingdom of Granada in 1246, and Jaen had a strategic position on the frontline between Christian Spain and Moorish Granada. It was used as the gateway for the armies in the Reconquest, and Ferdinand and Isabella launched their final assault on Boabdil´s Granada from here in 1492.

The International Museum of Naive Art, also known as the International Museum of Naive Art “Manuel Moral”, is an art gallery situated in the left wing of the Villardompardo Palace. The collection was initiated by Manuel Moral Mozas, a naïve style artist from Torredelcampo, who donated his private collection to the Provincial of Jaén.

The building of the Museum of Archaeology and Fine Arts, or simply Museum of Jaén, dates from 1920 and was designed by the architect, Antonio Flórez Urdapilleta. It is designed as a square footprint  arranged around a central patio. The patio and interior portal, of the lost Iglesia de San Miguel date from 1561.

The large hospital was built in the fifteen century thanks to private donations and the patronage of the Municipal Council, the institution eventually became one of the longest-established Hospitals in the history of Spain, as well as the oldest in Jaén.

The first evidence that exists of the original structure and seed of Basílica Menor de la Sacra Iglesia Parroquial de San Ildefonso dates back to 1248, when it was created as a chapel for serving the Cathedral. Two centuries later, in 1430, it became the scene of a famous miraculous event: the descent of the Virgin Mary to the city of Jaén. After this event, the building became a shrine dedicated to the Virgin of the Chapel and homage was paid to the image of her found inside it. In the sixteenth century, the Virgin of the Chapel was named patron saint of 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.

The Palacio de la Diputación building is considered the main work of civil architecture in the city and was built in 1891. Today was not the first time that the Diputación (provincial government) occupied this site.

The house was acquired by Don Miguel Lucas de Iranzo and became his place of residence in 1462.  He carried out extensive works that completely transformed it into a  sumptuous Mudejar palace.

The Arab Baths known as, Hamman al-Walad (‘Bath of the Child’ in Arabic), are located in the basements of the Villardompardo Palace. They have a surface area of 450m², and are probably the largest in Spain and are visited by more than 55,000 people a year.

Jaén is a city that every lover of Andalucia should visit, enjoy and - if possible - spend a good deal of time getting to know. Not only does the city have an ancient and fascinating history, but the castle that towers over its winding streets offers some of the most quintessentially Andalusian views there are to be had.

Dama Juana, which opened in March 2019, is named after the grandmother of chef-owner Juan Aceituno. Sadly she died just two weeks after the restaurant in Jaen’s barrio San Ildefonso opened. Eight months after opening, Dama Juana was awarded a Michelin star.

These are the airlines that have direct flights to and from Gibraltar and the following cities. We are updating this table frequently to reflect 2021 airline daily schedules, and have retained 2019 routes as a reference.

The Museo Ibero (Iberian Museum) is located in Jaen city and is dedicated to the prehistoric Iberian culture of Spain. Intended to raise city's profile, on a regional, national and international level, it is the only museum celebrating this pre-Roman civilisation, and has the largest collection of Iberian art in the world.

Tiny Michelin star restaurant (as of the 2019 Guide) which seats just 15 diners, run with great care, effort and attention to detail by head chef Pedro Sánchez Jaén (known as Pedrito to avoid confusion with his political namesake). The restaurant opened in September 2017, and is the first restaurant in Jaén province ever to win a star.

You may have noticed tram line in Jaen city, don't stand around waiting for a tram as you may have a long wait. The Tranvia de Jaen was a modern light railway constructed between 2009 and 2011 at a cost of 75m €. Five low-floor Alstom Citadis trams, model 302, were purchased.

Jaen has a good selection of restaurants, the vast majority of which serve traditional Spanish and Mediterranean food. Fish and seafood are a popular choice in Jaen, trout being the star player, so expect to find prawn and shellfish dishes, as well as meat.