Jaen and Andalusia things to do
The capital of the province of Jaen sits at the confluence of Rio Guadalquivir and Rio Guadalbullon. The site was called Auringis by the Romans and became famous for its silver mines and olives. The Moors called it Geen, way of the caravans, because it lay on the main route between Andalusia and Castile. The Moors were defeated in 1246, but they left behind the chief reason for a visit to Jaenthe 13thcentury Castillo de Santa Catalina, a spectacular hilltop fortress whose crumbling ruins have been reconstructed and converted into a government parador.
Located 2 miles (3 km) from the center of town, the castle sits at the end of a steep, winding road that provides magnificent views of the entire area. In addition to the parador (see Best en Route), visit the former castIe parade ground, ringed by defensive towers, and peek into the keep and the Capilla de Santa Catalina (St. Catherine Chapel). Then walk to the far end of the hill to reach a thrilling lookout spot over the town.
From this viewpoint, the 16th-century Renaissance cathedral of Jaen (Plaza de Santa Maria) looks imposing but a bit odd, its massive facade out of proportion with the surrounding buildings. Some Ribera paintings and a bronze candelabrum with 15 arms are,on display in the Museo de la Catedral, which is open weekends only and charges admission (Plaza de Santa Maria).
Jaen has a Museo Provincial, which displays a mixture of fine arts, folk art, and archaeological finds. It's closed weekend afternoons and does not charge admission. The town also has several churches of note, particularly the 16th-century Capilla de San Andres, thought to have been built originally as a synagogue. Visitors must call ahead to be let in. For additional information, contact the Oficina de Turismo; open weekdays from 8:30 AM to 2:30 PM.
Ubeda car hire
If you are planning to visit the historic city of Ubeda, hire a car from Malaga Airport before you travel. Malaga Airport car hire can be pre-booked online before you travel, so make the most of cheap car rentals at the airport, and book early to avoid delays and disappointment when you arrive in Malaga.
Even more impressive than Baeza is historic Ubeda, known as the Florence of Andalusia. Its Plaza Vazquez de Molina is the most architecturally harmonious square in Andalusia, an oasis from another time lined with Renaissance monuments from 16th-century Spain. To reach the square, follow the Conjunto Monumental signs into the town center. Along the way, you'll pass the bustling Plaza de Andalucia, with a graceful clock tower, outdoor tables for relaxing, and a bullet-ridden statue of a Francoist generalin short, everything a small Andalusian town square should have.
Several noteworthy buildings front the shaded Plaza Vazquez de Molina. The 16th-century Renaissance Casa de las Cadenas (House of the Chains) serves as the Ayuntamiento (Town Hall); its interior patio of slender arches was the work of architect Andres de Vandelvira, who designed most of old Ubeda. The square's architectural highlight is the Iglesia de San Salvador (Church of the Holy Savior), whose massive golden facade and sumptuous interior make it one of the best examples of Spanish Renaissance architecture.
Built in the early 16th century as the family chapel and mausoleum for Francisco de los Cobos, secretary of the Holy Roman Emperor Charles V, it is still privately owned, but a live-in guide shows visitors the ornate altarpiece crowned by a sculpture of the Transfiguration and an enormous wrought-iron grille. It's normally open daily (as long as the caretaker is in); admission charge.
Before the Plaza Vazquez de Molina was completed, a nearby square, the Plaza Primero de Mayo, was the heart of Ubeda; an outdoor market, sports events, andwhile the Inquisition reignedburnings at the stake took place here. On one corner today is the old Ayuntamiento (City Hall), featuring a double row of elegant Gothic arches. Similar touches are found in the Iglesia de San Pablo (St. Peter's Church) on the plaza's opposite side, parts of which date from around 1400.
Another Ubeda sight, the (former) Hospital de Santiago (St. James Hospital), a Vandelvira masterpiece, sits on Carrera del Obispo Cobos, far from the historic center.This imposing 16th century edifice has been called the Escorial of Andalusia. Note the monumental staircase leading upstairs from the inner courtyard and the wood carvings in the chapel. It's open daily; no admission charge.
Located 2 miles (3 km) from the center of town, the castle sits at the end of a steep, winding road that provides magnificent views of the entire area. In addition to the parador (see Best en Route), visit the former castIe parade ground, ringed by defensive towers, and peek into the keep and the Capilla de Santa Catalina (St. Catherine Chapel). Then walk to the far end of the hill to reach a thrilling lookout spot over the town.
From this viewpoint, the 16th-century Renaissance cathedral of Jaen (Plaza de Santa Maria) looks imposing but a bit odd, its massive facade out of proportion with the surrounding buildings. Some Ribera paintings and a bronze candelabrum with 15 arms are,on display in the Museo de la Catedral, which is open weekends only and charges admission (Plaza de Santa Maria).
Jaen has a Museo Provincial, which displays a mixture of fine arts, folk art, and archaeological finds. It's closed weekend afternoons and does not charge admission. The town also has several churches of note, particularly the 16th-century Capilla de San Andres, thought to have been built originally as a synagogue. Visitors must call ahead to be let in. For additional information, contact the Oficina de Turismo; open weekdays from 8:30 AM to 2:30 PM.
Ubeda car hire
If you are planning to visit the historic city of Ubeda, hire a car from Malaga Airport before you travel. Malaga Airport car hire can be pre-booked online before you travel, so make the most of cheap car rentals at the airport, and book early to avoid delays and disappointment when you arrive in Malaga.
Even more impressive than Baeza is historic Ubeda, known as the Florence of Andalusia. Its Plaza Vazquez de Molina is the most architecturally harmonious square in Andalusia, an oasis from another time lined with Renaissance monuments from 16th-century Spain. To reach the square, follow the Conjunto Monumental signs into the town center. Along the way, you'll pass the bustling Plaza de Andalucia, with a graceful clock tower, outdoor tables for relaxing, and a bullet-ridden statue of a Francoist generalin short, everything a small Andalusian town square should have.
Several noteworthy buildings front the shaded Plaza Vazquez de Molina. The 16th-century Renaissance Casa de las Cadenas (House of the Chains) serves as the Ayuntamiento (Town Hall); its interior patio of slender arches was the work of architect Andres de Vandelvira, who designed most of old Ubeda. The square's architectural highlight is the Iglesia de San Salvador (Church of the Holy Savior), whose massive golden facade and sumptuous interior make it one of the best examples of Spanish Renaissance architecture.
Built in the early 16th century as the family chapel and mausoleum for Francisco de los Cobos, secretary of the Holy Roman Emperor Charles V, it is still privately owned, but a live-in guide shows visitors the ornate altarpiece crowned by a sculpture of the Transfiguration and an enormous wrought-iron grille. It's normally open daily (as long as the caretaker is in); admission charge.
Before the Plaza Vazquez de Molina was completed, a nearby square, the Plaza Primero de Mayo, was the heart of Ubeda; an outdoor market, sports events, andwhile the Inquisition reignedburnings at the stake took place here. On one corner today is the old Ayuntamiento (City Hall), featuring a double row of elegant Gothic arches. Similar touches are found in the Iglesia de San Pablo (St. Peter's Church) on the plaza's opposite side, parts of which date from around 1400.
Another Ubeda sight, the (former) Hospital de Santiago (St. James Hospital), a Vandelvira masterpiece, sits on Carrera del Obispo Cobos, far from the historic center.This imposing 16th century edifice has been called the Escorial of Andalusia. Note the monumental staircase leading upstairs from the inner courtyard and the wood carvings in the chapel. It's open daily; no admission charge.
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