Centro Cultural Palacio de Villardompardo, Renaissance cultural center in Jaén, Spain
The Centro Cultural Palacio de Villardompardo is a cultural center in Jaén comprising several connected buildings including a Renaissance palace, a chapel, and exhibition spaces in the city center. The complex spreads across multiple levels and connects historic architecture with modern display areas for its three museums.
The building began as a Renaissance palace in the 16th century for Fernando Torres y Portugal, the first Count of Villardompardo and Viceroy of Peru. Construction used foundations from the 11th century, including Arabic baths, which remain preserved beneath the palace.
The center hosts three distinct museums displaying Arabic baths, naive art from around the world, and regional craft traditions. These collections share the palace spaces and blend different views of art and daily life together.
Plan to spend about ninety minutes exploring the exhibitions spread across multiple floors of the complex. Guided tours are available to help navigate the connections between different rooms and collections.
Beneath the Renaissance palace lies a well-preserved Arab bathhouse complex from the 11th century, recognized as a Historical Artistic Monument in its own right. This hidden layer lets visitors explore two completely different architectural periods at the same location.
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