Iglesia de la Magdalena

Monument

Plaza de la Magdalena, s/n. 23071, Jaén How to get

The Church of La Magdalena is surely the oldest in the city of Jaén, at least of the existing ones, since it is not in vain that it was built using a previous mosque ordered to be built by Abderramán II (825). The patio and the minaret stand out from that time.

The church, built in the Gothic style, has four naves, one wider than the others, separated by non-aligned irregular pillars. Pointed arches turn from pillar to pillar, covering them by lizard-shaped rib vaults, recalling the neighboring legend of the stream, which are supported by corbels on the capitals.

Among the works of interest are the polychrome carvings of Calvary, attributed to Jacobo Florentino or Jerónimo Quijano; that of Cristo de la Clemencia, by Salvador de Cuéllar, made in 1593, and that of La Magdalena Kneeling, by Mateo Medina, cataloged in 1572. There are remains of Christian painting, in an irregular state of conservation. Finally, the two-leaf door on the main portal should not be overlooked, ordered by Bishop Diego Tavera in 1555, still magnificent despite the passage of time.