Jaen was once the seat of a small Moorish kingdom and played an important role in the conquest of Granada from the Moors by Christian forces during the 15th century. During the Peninsular war of the early 1800′s the French won a major victory here. Today it is the commercial hub for a fertile agricutural area producing olive oil and wine. Europes richest lead mines are nearby and copper and iron are also extracted. The town Alcalá la Real is known it’s mineral springs. The Parque Natural de las Sierras de Cazorla, over 2,000 square kilometres, is the biggest protected are in Spain. Here you might see ibex, red or fallow deer and wild boar.
The city Jaen is situated in south-central Spain and is the capital of the Jaen province. It is situated in the Andalusia autonomous community and the people here are called Jiennenses. It has a population of about 120,000. The name Jaén appears to have been originated from Jayyan which is an Arabic word that means ‘crossroads of caravans’.
It is the world’s biggest producer of olive oil and the locals call it liquid gold. The topography of this place is decided by the Santa Catalina Mountains; the streets here are narrow and steep.
At the west side of the town plaza is a distinctive 17th century cathedral of Renaissance structure which is open daily and free for all to view. At the north side the artistically restored Hamam of Moorish origins (which is basically a Turkish bath located between Santo Domingo church and the San Andrés church in Baños Arabes), is open to the public without charge on all days but Monday. These baths were part of an 11th century Moorish palace, the Palacio de Villardompardo.
Jaén offers many remarkable 5th century archaeological collections of Iberian sculptures housed in its local museum, the Museo Provincial, which is closed on Mondays and free to citizens of EU.
The tourist centre is located on Calle Maestra 13 and offers town maps that are helpful with the train station up north, and the bus station located near the Coca Plaza.
Gastronomy Venues
The section of Calle Nueva which is located east of the town”s main plaza offers many bars and eateries. The up-market Casa Vicente located at Calle Maestre 8, is the town”s best restaurant while the Yucatan Cafeteria makes a good place for a good breakfast serving platos combinados throughout the day, even until late at night. You can also find some nice places for a night drink or some music. Should sleep elude you, there are many bars at the Barrio de San Ildefonso area which lies at the cathedral”s east side. In particular, there is the friendly Azulejo Bar which offers complimentary tapas for every drink purchased.
Jaen
Jaen was once the seat of a small Moorish kingdom and played an important role in the conquest of Granada from the Moors by Christian forces during the 15th century. During the Peninsular war of the early 1800′s the French won a major victory here. Today it is the commercial hub for a fertile agricutural area producing olive oil and wine. Europes richest lead mines are nearby and copper and iron are also extracted. The town Alcalá la Real is known it’s mineral springs. The Parque Natural de las Sierras de Cazorla, over 2,000 square kilometres, is the biggest protected are in Spain. Here you might see ibex, red or fallow deer and wild boar.
The city Jaen is situated in south-central Spain and is the capital of the Jaen province. It is situated in the Andalusia autonomous community and the people here are called Jiennenses. It has a population of about 120,000. The name Jaén appears to have been originated from Jayyan which is an Arabic word that means ‘crossroads of caravans’.
It is the world’s biggest producer of olive oil and the locals call it liquid gold. The topography of this place is decided by the Santa Catalina Mountains; the streets here are narrow and steep.
At the west side of the town plaza is a distinctive 17th century cathedral of Renaissance structure which is open daily and free for all to view. At the north side the artistically restored Hamam of Moorish origins (which is basically a Turkish bath located between Santo Domingo church and the San Andrés church in Baños Arabes), is open to the public without charge on all days but Monday. These baths were part of an 11th century Moorish palace, the Palacio de Villardompardo.
Jaén offers many remarkable 5th century archaeological collections of Iberian sculptures housed in its local museum, the Museo Provincial, which is closed on Mondays and free to citizens of EU.
The tourist centre is located on Calle Maestra 13 and offers town maps that are helpful with the train station up north, and the bus station located near the Coca Plaza.
Gastronomy Venues
The section of Calle Nueva which is located east of the town”s main plaza offers many bars and eateries. The up-market Casa Vicente located at Calle Maestre 8, is the town”s best restaurant while the Yucatan Cafeteria makes a good place for a good breakfast serving platos combinados throughout the day, even until late at night. You can also find some nice places for a night drink or some music. Should sleep elude you, there are many bars at the Barrio de San Ildefonso area which lies at the cathedral”s east side. In particular, there is the friendly Azulejo Bar which offers complimentary tapas for every drink purchased.