The best road cycling routes around Begíjar

The Church of Santa María de los Reales Alcázares is located opposite the Palacio de las Cadenas, in Plaza Vázquez de Molina. Declared a National Monument and part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, this collegiate church was built on the remains of the Great Mosque after the Reconquista (13th century). It is notable for its superimposition of styles, including Gothic, Mudéjar, Renaissance, Baroque, and Neo-Gothic. Visiting hours: Monday to Saturday, 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM and 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM; Sundays, 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM and 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM.

Declared a National Monument in 1931, the cathedral stands on the site of an ancient Roman temple, later transformed into a Visigothic structure and then into a mosque after the arrival of the Muslims. In 1227, it became the cathedral seat under the Marian patronage of the Nativity. It acquired its Renaissance character in the 16th century, after more than half of the building collapsed in 1567. Andrés de Vandelvira and other important Andalusian architects imbued the cathedral with the classical style then prevalent in religious art. Until the end of the century, the temple was transformed piecemeal. The main portal was designed in 1587 by Juan Bautista Villalpando, featuring a relief of the Nativity of the Virgin, sculpted by the Jesuit Jerónimo del Prado from Baeza. The Puerta de la Luna (Moon Gate) is one of the oldest elements of the cathedral, with its distinctive 13th-century polylobed arch. Above it stands the 14th-century Gothic rose window, one of the few elements that survived the collapse of the cathedral in 1567. Therefore, the reconstruction was entrusted to Andrés de Vandelvira, who contributed his mastery to give the cathedral the Renaissance richness it boasts today. The combination of Mudéjar, Gothic, and Renaissance styles allows one to observe the passage of time through its walls, telling its story through each of its architectural styles. In addition to visiting the interior of the cathedral, it is highly recommended to climb the tower, from where you will be rewarded with spectacular views of the town and its surrounding countryside.

Opposite the Jabalquinto Palace stands the Church of Santa Cruz, one of the few Romanesque churches in all of Andalusia. Built in the 13th century, after the conquest of the Upper Guadalquivir Valley by Ferdinand III, it preserves remnants of 15th and 16th-century frescoes.

an amazing route

The Pópulo square, also known as Plaza de los Leones (Lions' square), is one of the most emblematic and picturesque corners of Baeza. This square is part of the monumental Renaissance complex that led to the city being declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2003.

Jimena is a small town in the south of the province, on the northern side of the Sierra Mágina, located in a landscape of olive groves, fruit trees, allotments and sierra. The town is particularly known for its figs and brebas. The municipality is divided into two very different areas: there is the mountainous south-eastern area that is part of the Sierra Mágina Natural Park, and the rest of the municipality is agricultural land dedicated to olives.

It's fun to climb the tower: 196 steps to a beautiful view.

The Catedral de la Asunción de Jaén, also known as the Cathedral of the Holy Resurrection of the Virgin, is an impressive Renaissance building in the centre of Jaén. It was built to replace a 15th-century Gothic church and is one of the city's most important architectural gems. The cathedral is located in the Plaza de Santa María, opposite the Town Hall and the Bishop's Palace. The interior is richly decorated with beautiful works of art, and the building houses the famous relics of the Holy Face. Note its imposing towers and elegant façade.