Jaén, Capital municipality in Andalusia, Spain
Jaén is a provincial capital in Andalusia and spreads across the foothills of Cerro de Santa Catalina mountain at 573 meters elevation. Steep streets connect the plains to the hills, while white facades shape the cityscape.
The settlement was called Aurgi during Roman times and later became known as Ŷaīyyān under Islamic rule. Ferdinand III conquered the site in 1246 and incorporated it into the Kingdom of Castile.
The name comes from the Arabic Dschayjan and recalls the time as a border fortress between Muslim and Christian realms. The old town keeps narrow streets with white houses where locals gather in small squares and sell local olive oil specialties.
The city center can be explored on foot, keeping in mind that many streets are steep and breaks are helpful during hot weather. Buses connect the center with surrounding neighborhoods and provide links to larger cities such as Granada or Madrid.
Beneath the Palacio de Villardompardo lie Arab baths from the 11th century, considered the largest preserved Islamic bath chambers in Spain. The three main rooms still show the original columns and vaults that once structured the steam bath.
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