JAEN Province is situated in the northern part of the autonomous region of Andalucia. Its total area is 424,30km2 with a population of 116.731 residents (2012). The city of Jaen is also known as the World Capital of Olive Oil, because it is one of Spain’s biggest producer of the olive oil. The center of Jaen is determined by the hills of the Santa Catalina mountains, with steep and narrow streets. The city of Jaen is the administrative and industrial centre for the province of Jaen and include industrial establishments such as chemical works, tanneries, distilleries, cookies factories and textile factories.

The Cathedral

Jaen Cathedral is one of the most important Renaissance-style cathedrals of Andalucia. The construction of the cathedral began in 1570 and was completed in 1802. The cathedral was built to to shelter the relic of the Holy Face, or Veil of Veronica, lodged at the major chapel and exposed to the public every Friday.

Saint Catherine’s Castle

Saint Catherine’s Castle (Castillo de Santa Catalina) sits on the top of a hill overlooking the city of Jaen. Saint Catherines castle is sitting on a former fortress of Arabic origin of which some remains still exist. The current castle is of Christian origin, built in 1246 after the conquest of the city by Ferdinand III of Castile, also known as the Saint.