Tourist Information from Jaen, Jaén, Spain

General Information:

Jaen is the capital of the province of Jaen, in Andalusia, Spain. A way-point and borderland, Jaén presents a rich and varied history. Jaén marks the site of one of the most important Iberian settlements in the Peninsula. The city played an important role during the al-Andalus period and firmly established the extent of its influence during the Renaissance and the Enlightenment. The castle of Santa Catalina has shaped the history of the City of Jaén. The oldest districts of the modern city, now known as Magdalena, San Juan and la Merced, grew in the shadow of the castle. Close to the Plaza de la Magdalena, we find the Antiguo Hospital de San Juan de Dios, the capital’s most important cultural and social centre, and the Palacio de Villardompardo, which houses the Arts and Popular Customs Museum, The International Museum of Naïve Art and, in the basement of the building, the Arab Baths. The old quarter also houses important religious buildings such as the church of San Juan, the church of San Bartolomé and the convent of Santa Clara. The Arch of San Lorenzo divides the districts of San Juan and la Merced. The Cathedral, the most notable monument in the capital, stands in front of the Bishopric and the City Hall. The Plaza de San Francisco, behind the Cathedral, refers to a junction of streets presided over by the premises of the Provincial Council of Jaén. The plaza marks the beginning of the contemporary city, which is filled with modernist and historicist buildings.

Tourist Guides:

· APIT: Provincial Association of Official Tourist Guides. Jaén Office: Almendros Aguilar, 61. 3º C. 23004. 953 19 02 86 / 606 68 23 03. Fax: 953 19 02 86. evadedios@tiscali.es,

· JAÉN EN MOVIMIENTO, TURISMO DE ARTE Y TEATRO Tourism focused on theatre and art. Doctor Gómez Durán, 1ª A, 3º D. 686 65 61 62 / 661 98 63 76. info@jaenmovimiento.com, www.jaenmovimiento.com

Places of interest:

· Catedral: A unique example of Andalusian Renaissance architecture (16th century) designed by Andrés de Vandelvira. It was erected on a site formerly occupied by a Moorish mosque. The cathedral houses the relic of the Santo Rostro. Plaza de Santa María s/n. 23002. tel. 953 23 42 33.

· Baños Árabes: The Palacio de Villardompardo houses the Arab Baths (11th - 12th century), which has received the Europa Nostra award for Restoration. The Baths consist of three rooms (the cold-water room, the warmwater room and the hot-water room). Plaza Santa Luisa de Marillac, s/n. 23004. tel. 953 24 80 68. OPENING HOURS: Tuesday to Friday: 9.00h a 20.00h. Saturday and Sunday: 9.30 a 14.30h. Closed on Mondays and holidays.

· Castillo de Santa Catalina: This fortification, originally a Moorish fort, was rebuilt in the 13th century by Christian troops. The Torre del Homenaje (Keep) and the Courtyard bear special mention. The castle currently houses the Parador de Santa Catalina (a State-owned hotel) and the Visitors Centre. Tel. 953 12 07 33 / 953 19 04 55. OPENING HOURS: Winter: Tuesday to Sunday: 10.00 a 14.00h y de 15.30 a 19.30h. Summer: Tuesday to Sunday: 10.00 a 14.00h y de 17.00 a 21.00h. Closed on Mondays.

· Iglesia de San Ildefonso: The church dates back to the 18th century. Attention should be drawn to its three façades, built in the Gothic, Plateresque and Renaissance styles. The church houses the remains of Andrés de Vandelvira, who passed away in 1575, and the chapel of Nuestra Señora de la Capilla, the patron of Jaén, which was constructed at the end of the 16th century. Plaza de San Ildefonso, s/n. 23001. tel. 953 19 03 46. OPENING HOURS: De 9.00 a 12.00h y de 18.00 a 21.00h.

· Iglesia de San Bartolomé: The church was built between the 16th and 18th century. Constructed in the Mudejar style, the church boasts beautiful coffering and houses a noteworthy main altar and a Gothic glazed ceramic baptism font. Plaza de San Bartolomé, s/n. 23004. tel. 953 23 64 63. OPENING HOURS: De 18.30 a 20.00h.

· Iglesia de La Magdalena: This is the oldest church in Jaén. It was built over a site that was formerly occupied by a mosque. The church boasts four naves separated by pillars and pointed arches. The façade bears a Gothic-Isabelline image of Mary Magdalene and a beautiful belltower on one side. Calle de la Magdalena, s/n. 23004. tel. 953 19 03 09. OPENING HOURS: De 9.00 a 12.30h y de 18.00 a 20.30h.

· Real Monasterio de Santo Domingo: The church and the cloister, which date back to the 16th and 17th centuries, bear special mention. The Monastery currently houses the Headquarters of the Provincial Historical Archive. Santo Domingo, s/n. 23004. tel. 953 23 85 00. OPENING HOURS: Monday to Friday: 8.30 a 14.00h

· Hospital de San Juan de Dios: Visitors to the former hospital should pay particular attention to the 16thcentury late Gothic façade, the two beautiful patios with porticoes and the modest church, which has been recently restored to serve as an auditorium. The hospital currently houses of the headquarters of the Instituto de Estudios Giennenses and serves as a Congress and Exhibition

Centre. San Juan de Dios, 2. 23004. tel. 953 24 80 00. OPENING HOURS: De 8.00 a 15.00h y de 17.00 a 20.00h.

· IGLESIA DE SAN ANDRÉS: Built in the Mudejar style, the church boasts three naves separated by stone columns and the apse, which houses the presbytery. Attention should be drawn to the main altar (18th century) and the grille of the Chapel of the Inmaculada, attributed to Maestro Bartolomé. San Andrés s/n. 23004. tel. 953 23 74 22 / 953 24 03 21. OPENING HOURS: Via prior appointment.

Museums:

· MUSEO PROVINCIAL: Archaeology, sculpture and painting. Paseo de la Estación, 27. 23008. tel. 953 31 33 39. www.juntadeandalucia.es/cultura/museojaen OPENING HOURS: Wednesday to Saturday: 9.00 a 20.30h. Tuesday: 14.30 a 20.30h. Sundays and holidays: 9.00 a 14.30h. Closed on Mondays.

· EXPOSICIÓN PERMANENTE DE ARTE SACRO: Sacred art, painting, sculpture, gold and silverware, books. Tel. 953 23 42 33. www.catedraldejaen.org OPENING HOURS: Winter: Tuesday to Saturday. 10.30 a 13.00h y de 16.00 a 19.00h. Summer: Tuesday to Saturday. 17.00 a 20.00h. Closed on Sundays.

· MUSEO INTERNACIONAL DE ARTE NAÏF “MANUEL MORAL”: Naive Art. Palacio de Villardompardo. Plaza Santa Luisa de Marillac, s/n. 23004. tel. 953 24 80 68. OPENING HOURS: Winter: Tuesday to Saturday. 9.00 a 20.15h. Sundays 9.15 a 14.30h. Summer: Tuesday to Saturday. 9.00 a 21.30h. Sundays. 9.00 a 14.30 h. Closed on Mondays and holidays.

· MUSEO DE ARTES Y COSTUMBRES POPULARES: Provincial Ethnography. Palacio de Villardompardo. Plaza Santa Luisa de Marillac, s/n. 23004. tel. 953 24 80 68. OPENING HOURS: Winter:Tuesday to Saturday. 9.00 a 20.15h. Sundays 9.15 a 14.30h. Summer: Tuesday to Saturday. 9.00 a 21.30h. Sundays. 9.00 a 14.30 h. Closed on Mondays and holidays.

· CENTRO DE INTERPRETACIÓN TURÍSTICA CASTILLO DE SANTA CATALINA: The central theme of the exhibition is the uniqueness of the Cerro de Santa Catalina, which forms an important part of the identity of the town and its region. The hill has been occupied by various peoples and cultures throughout history, each having left their mark. Castillo de Santa Catalina, s/n. Tel. 953 12 07 33. OPENING HOURS: Winter: Tuesday to Sunday de 10.00 a 14.00h y de 15.30 a 19.30h. Winter:Tuesday to Sunday de 10.00 a 14.00h y de 17.00 a 21.00h.