| The city of Jaen, capital of the Holy Kingdom (the Santo Reino)
is situated beneath the hill of Santa Catalina, topped with the impressive
castle of the same name, now converted into a Parador de Turismo.
From up here, we have spectacular views over the olive groved countryside
and the city itself, which spreads out over the smooth slope, forming
a compact city, which combines traditional quarters of Arab and Medieval
design with monumental AREAs and modern buildings, in an attractive
combination. The impressive Cathedral, key work of the Spanish Renaissance
by Andres de Vandelvira, dwarfs the city.
However, there are many more buildings and monuments in this unique
city: the Walls, the Arab Baths, the Church of San Bartolomé,
the Church of San Ildefonso, the Church of la Magdalena, the Arch
of San Lorenzo, the Chapel of San Andrés, the Church of San
Juan, the Monastery of Santa Teresa, the Convents of Santo Domingo,
of Santa Úrsula, the Convent of Nuestra Señora de
la Merced, the Palace of the Condestable Iranzo and the Palace of
Villardompardo which houses an extremely interesting Museum of Popular
Arts and Traditions and the International Museum of naïf Art.
Jaen´s Out-of-town Park is situated in the surrounding mountains,
a protected natural space due to its environmental and recreational
importance.
Hotel
PARADOR DE JAÉN (web)
Castillo de Santa Catalina s/n. 23001. Jaén , Jaén
Tel. : +34 953 23 00 00 / Fax: +34 953 23 09 30
e-mail: jaen@parador.es
EXCEPTIONAL 13TH C. ARABIC FORTRESS
The privileged location of the Parador on Santa Catalina Hill offers
it the character of defensive bastion of the Jaén horizon.
Origin and destination to discover the charm of the Andalusian Renaissance,
the hotel has a refreshing swimming pool which, along with the exterior
stone, offers protection from the burning sun which inundates the
surroundings. The monumental appearance is maintained on the inside,
where the impressive 20 m. high crossed arches of the main living
room, the dining room, with a marked Arabic character, and the comfortable
and friendly bedrooms with magnificent panoramic views stand out.
The ensemble, decorated in soft shades, is complemented by a varied
gastronomic display: 'ajo blanco' (cold garlic and almond soup),
partridge salad, 'pipirrana' (tomato and cucumber salad) Jaén-style
spinach (with egg).
Type of building: Castle
Manager: José Rizos Garrido
Chef: Miguel Marabé García
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