Balneario de Jabalcuz, Spa hotel and historic gardens in Jaén, Spain

Balneario de Jabalcuz is a former thermal spa and garden complex on Jabalcuz hill, about 6 km from Jaén. The main spa building, rebuilt in 1884 by architect Justino Flórez Llamas, has a U-shaped plan, two storeys plus attic, and a lime-washed facade. The gardens, designed by Cecilio Rodríguez Cuevas, opened in 1926 alongside a casino-restaurant by Alberto López de Asiaín.

The thermal spring was used since the early 17th century, but experienced its major development after 1781 when a road connected it to Jaén. During the 19th century, its reputation as a healing spa grew and attracted more visitors to the area.

The gardens were laid out by Cecilio Rodríguez Cuevas, designer of Madrid's Rosaleda del Retiro, and opened in 1926 together with the casino-restaurante built by architect Alberto López de Asiaín. The spa's waters won a silver medal at the 1888 Barcelona Universal Exposition. The name Casería de Jerez survives from the estate bought by canon Francisco Jerez in 1653.

The complex sits about 6 km from Jaén on the Jabalcuz hill, reached by the road built in 1781 from the Puente de Santa Ana. The spa building, the plaza with its row of six houses and the Casería de Jerez stand at different heights along the old camino, so allow time to move between them. The site was abandoned from 1972, so paths and structures may be overgrown or closed; wear sturdy shoes.

The spa's medicinal waters won a silver medal at the 1888 Barcelona Universal Exposition, a detail few visitors connect with the ruined baths. The complex stayed in use until 1972, when it was abandoned entirely, which explains the present state of the buildings.