MUSEO PROVINCIAL DE JAÉN

Hours: Tues 2:30-8:30pm; Wed-Sat 9am-8pm; Sun 9am-2:30pm
Address: Paseo de la Estación 29
Phone: 95-325-06-00 953 274507
Prices: Admission 1.50€ ($1.80). Gratuitous entrance for Spaniards and other citizens of the European Union.

The Provincial Museum of Jaén has one of the finest Spanish collections of pre-Roman artifacts is found, along with other treasures. The collection, housed in a 1547 mansion, includes Roman mosaics, a mudéjar arch, and many ceramics from the early Iberian, Greek, and Roman periods. Its origins start in 1846, when it opens his doors in the Convents of the Jesuitas with a pinacoteca coming from the confiscation of Mendizábal.

The "Museo Provincial de Jaén" is divided into two major areas: one dedicated to Fine Art, and the other to Archaeology. The first floor offers one of the most important collections of Iberian art in Spain. Objects include funerary treasure from various different necropolises, objects imported from the eastern Mediterranean, and sculptures fromCerrillo Blanco and El Pajarillo; and the upper floor is dedicated to Fine Art, and offers a vision of sculpture and painting from the 14th-20th centuries, along with a good selection of works by painter from Jaén.

CENTRO CULTURAL PALACIO DE VILLARDOMPARDO

Hours: Tues-Fri 9am-8pm; Sat-Sun 9:30am-2:30pm
Location: Plaza de Santa Luisa de Marillac s/n
Phone: 95-324-80-68
Prices: Free admission
Transportation: You must go on foot: In the old quarter of Jaén, follow signs indicating either BAÑOS ARABES or BARRIO DE LA MAGDALENA

"El Palacio de Villadompardo" is a 16th century stately home which houses three attractions. It includes the Arab baths (known as hamman), the Museum the International of Art Naïf Moral Manuel and the Popular museum of Arts and Customs.

The former Arab baths represent some of the most important Moorish architecture from the 11th century ever discovered in Spain. There us a warm room, a hot room, and a cold room. Furthermore, in the Villardompardo Palace, you'll find two museums: The Museo Internacional de Arte Naif, which features the work of artists from around the globe who have created professional, skilled paintings without any formal art instruction; and the Museo de Artes y Costumbres Populares, which houses a collection of primarily 19th-century folkloric artifacts, including costumes, dolls, ceramics, and even photographs documenting former days in Andalusia.

CASTILLO DE SANTA CATALINA

Hours: June-Sept Tues-Sun 10am-2pm and 5:30-9:30pm; Oct-May Tues-Sun 10am-2pm and 3:30-7:30pm
Location: Hill of Santa Catherine. Municipal patronage of Culture and Tourism. Masterful C, 18 23002 Jaén.
Phone: 95-312-07-33 -- 953 219116
Prices: Admission 3€ ($3.60)

The Castillo de Santa Catalina is a Moor castle which was rebuilt during the Rennaissance. This castle was built on a rocky crag, lying 5km (3 miles) from the center of Jaén. The Nasrid caliph, Alhamar, builder of the Alcázar at Granada, ordered construction of the "Santa Catalina" castle. Later King Ferdinand III captured it and took the Castillo in 1246. During the time of its capture, Jaén was celebrating the Feast Day of patron saint, Santa Catalina (St. Catherine).

One of the main atractions of this church is walking through Saint Catherine's life, her occupation throughout history by different civilizations and the contribution from these cultures with some of its today still present tracks in the traditions of the jiennenses. The total surface of the Castle, including the alcana, Parade ground 3,000 ms2, whereas the useful surface of the exhibition is of approximately about 525 ms2. Today the castle is the site of the Parador de Jaén, reason enough for many visitors to stop over here. You can stay or dine at the parador, but the reason many sightseers trek up here is to enjoy the finest and most panoramic view in the province.