{"id":870,"date":"2023-05-31T15:04:52","date_gmt":"2023-05-31T15:04:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/goiberia.com\/?p=870"},"modified":"2024-02-05T12:29:54","modified_gmt":"2024-02-05T12:29:54","slug":"jaen","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.goiberia.com\/en\/jaen\/","title":{"rendered":"Ja\u00e9n, the capital of the olive trees"},"content":{"rendered":"

Capitals of the Andalusian Regions - Jaen<\/em><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Ja\u00e9n is one of Andalusia's capitals, and it is not an exaggeration to say that it is the least popular of them. Located 230 kilometers from Seville and 335 kilometers from Madrid, it remains in the shadow of more famous and visited Andalusian metropolises, filled with historical attractions and monuments. It does not offer tourists the opportunity to relax on golden beaches or along the banks of a great river, as is the case with Seville or C\u00f3rdoba.

So what is worth going to Ja\u00e9n and the surrounding area for, and what is worth seeing? <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

History of Jaen <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The oldest traces of human presence in Ja\u00e9n date back to the Neolithic period, around 2500 BC. The most important residential settlements, known as Marroqu\u00edes Bajos (today Bulevar), were discovered in the northern part of the city. These are the largest copper-age settlements in Europe. In Iberian times (800-700 BC), these settlements were mainly concentrated around the slopes of Santa Catalina hill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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For centuries, Ja\u00e9n has changed \"owners\" and names. Under the rule of Carthage, the lands of Ja\u00e9n were called Auringis<\/strong><\/em> due to the gold found there. The Romans called them Flavia<\/strong><\/em>. After the Muslim invasion in 711, the entire southern part of the Iberian Peninsula came under the rule of the Moors, who gave the region a new, more modern name Jayy\u0101n<\/strong><\/em>. The Moors enriched Ja\u00e9n culturally, building mosques, fortifications, baths, and palaces.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Due to the nearby lush deciduous forests, numerous springs and rivers, decorative tapestries and wooden utensils were made in Ja\u00e9n, which were exported to the territories of Al-Andalus, i.e. the Iberian Peninsula under Muslim rule, and to the Maghreb.
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Batalla de Las Navas de Tolosa, Van Halen<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The period of Muslim rule is linked to the numerous battles and wars fought in the area. The largest of these was fought in 1212 La batalla de Las Navas de Tolosa<\/strong>between the Christian army under the command of the Castilian king Alfonso VIII, with a total of 50,000 to 80,000 people, and the Muslim army under the command of Caliph Muhammad an-Nasir, with a total of 90,000 to 120,000 people.

It was a turning point in the Reconquista and marked the beginning of the decline of Muslim presence on the Iberian Peninsula. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For those interested - you can visit museum of the battle More information<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the conquest of Granada in 1492 and the discovery of America in 1492, Ja\u00e9n became one of the most important cities and regions in Castile. The economy was based on olive growing, grain, crafts, and the leather industry. In the 16th century, construction began on one of the most beautiful Renaissance-Baroque cathedrals in Andalusia.

The cathedral's facade is adorned with sculptures by Pedro Rold\u00e1n, including saints, church figures, and Ferdinand III, the conqueror of Ja\u00e9n. He looks out towards Castillo de Santa Catalina, the former Moorish fortress on the hilltop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n