Jaen: Sea of Olive Trees and Waterfalls of Delicacies

Walking Through Jaen, Olive Oil’s World Capital

The first night we went to TorredelCampo, a small villa just minutes away from Jaen, where we were staying. That same weekend, the villa was celebrating its “202 Anniversary” from the time it free itself from the city of Jaen.

The next day, we went down to Jaen where we walked through Santa Catalina’s Castle and Arab Baths.

Santa Catalina’s Castle was constructed by Fernando III The Saint, on top of Cerro Santa Catalina so he could observe the entire region. He believed this strategic location helped him to protect Jaen during medieval times (1246).

The Castle has an incredible view of the sea of olive trees that cover the mountains of Andalucía.

Afterwards we visited the Cathedral of Nuestra Señora de la Asunción. It was one of the most opulent and impressive churches I’ve seen. Inside, you can find an original replica of the Santo Rostro de Cristo: the handkerchief where Christ's face was imprinted after La Verónica dried the sweat from his face.

At the end of the day, after fighting against the heat we walked up Jaen’s steep streets and reached the Arab Baths, built in the XI Century during the Arab occupation in Spain. Even though we would have liked to refresh ourselves in the baths, centuries have passed since these Baths have been used. However, they are so well conserved that it is not hard to imagine the relaxing ambiance that locals used to breathe in this place as they soaked their feet and relaxed under the dim solar light that sneaked through the star shape holes on curved roofs.


How to get there:

• Metro Station Atocha Renfe



• El Ave- Train