Canena
The small town of Canena is another of the Jiennense municipalities along the Ruta de los Castillos (Route of the Castles) through Andalusian lands. This is apparent when you first approach the town, crowned by its magnificent Renaissance palace, declared a National Monument since 1931. It has about 1,800 inhabitants.
History
The origin of the municipality can be traced back to prehistory, attested to by polished stone axes found locally. But it was during the Roman era that the first stable populations in the Balneario (Spa) area appeared, as evidenced by mosaics and the existence of a hydraulic work from the same period. The current enclave originates from the Arab era. According to Narciso Peinado, Aguirre Sadaba and others, it was the Syrian, Banu Kinana, who settled in this territory around the year 750. More>
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Things to see
Castillo de Canena
The sixteenth-century castle was designed by the Spanish Renaissance architect Andrés de Vandelvira and belonged to Francisco de los Cobos, who was private secretary to Carlos I and a great patron of Renaissance developments in Úbeda and the surrounding area. Most of the building we see today dates from the seventeenth century following serious restoration. Declared a National Monument in 1931, the castle is in private hands today. (Location)
Ermita de la Virgen de los Remedios
Construction of the chapel, Virgen de los Remedios, began at the end of the fifteenth century and was completed in the middle of the eighteenth, thanks to alms indicated on the facade. The beautiful late-baroque belfry is crowned by an eighteenth-century wrought iron cross. It was fully restored in the 1980s. (Location)
Museo de las Telecomunicaciones
The Telecommunications Museum was the product of an agreement with the Telefónica Foundation, which provided numerous pieces and equipment from the previous historical-technological collection of the Madrid Foundation, but also relied on the interest of a large number of emigrants of the village who worked in the sector. (Location)
Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de la Concepción
The church dates to the first half of the sixteenth century and is Renaissance in style. To the right of the main entrance is the bell tower with a quadrangular floor plan and hipped roof. In the sacristy, with a rectangular floor plan, there is a small museum where religious objects of great historical value are exhibited, as well as a magnificent archive dating back to October 1564, documenting baptisms, confirmations, betrothals and bulls. (Location)
Oleoturismo Castillo de Canena
The olive oil mill dates back to 1780 and is named after the castle. Almazara Castillo de Canena is a family business fully dedicated to obtaining extra virgin olive oil. They carry out the entire process themselves, including cultivation, pressing, storage, packaging, sales and marketing. (Location)
Balneario San Andrés
The waters of the San Andrés spring have been well known since the Roman era, popular for their therapeutic properties and credited with creating a balanced state of physical and mental health. The waters that emerge from the spring were authorized by R.O. in 1853 and declared a public utility in 1948. They are particularly recommended for people with kidney, gastrointestinal, musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, respiratory, dermatological or stress pathologies. (Location)
Things to see outside the town
Molinillo
The oldest monument in Canena is the Molinillo. The mill is thought to be Roman in origin, as a hydraulic construction destined for the milling of cereal. The construction was much improved in the time of Carlos V, in the sixteenth century when it was bought by Francisco de los Cobos. (Location)
Bus Services
There are various bus services from Canena. (Location)
Gastronomy
To taste the traditional delicacies of the cuisine of Canena, one must try dishes such as guisado de albóndigas (meatball stew), guiñapos con liebre (hare stew), pipirrana (tomato, onion, pepper, tuna and egg salad), sopa de segadores (garlic soup) and migas (fried breadcumbs served either with pork scratchings, olives, radishes, sardines or melon). Sweet treats include roscos de caridad (aniseed biscuits), tortillas dulces (honey pastries) and empanadillas (sweet pumpkin filled pasties).
Festivals
Popular festivals in Canena are Fiesta de San Marcos, Fiesta de Agosto, Fiesta de San Isidro, La Botifuera and Fiestival de Música. (Location)
Weather Forecast
The weather forecast for the next few days for Canena. (Location)
Tourist Office
The tourist office of Canena is located in the Town Hall. (Location)
Villages Nearby
The neighbouring villages to Canena are Rus and Ibros, Úbeda and Linares