Culture
The past that seduces you in the present
When someone visits Jaén they embark on an incredible adventure that they will not be able to forget. Archaeological sites from prehistoric times, an exceptional Iberian legacy, the largest concentration of castles in Europe and an impressive Renaissance heritage declared a World Heritage Site, will make you relive the heritage of other cultures.
Jaén has six sets of cave paintings classified as World Heritage Sites, an impressive archaeological and museum potential from prehistoric, Iberian, Roman and Islamic times, a wide variety of medieval fortifications and remains, the main examples of which make up the Route of the Castles and the Battles, that of the Nasrid or that of the Caliphate.
It also has an impressive monumental heritage of civil and religious character inherited from the Renaissance period, whose maximum
Examples are the cities of Úbeda and Baeza declared "World Heritage Sites" by UNESCO.
In addition, the province of Jaén is the cradle of Iberian culture, a territory with imposing fortified cities, sanctuaries, necropolis and vestiges of battles that changed history.
Mining Heritage
The landscape of old mines and Mediterranean mountains of the old Mining District extends to eight municipalities: Linares, La Carolina, Bailén, Baños de la Encina, Vilches, Guarromán, Santa Elena and Carboneros.
The mining activity of the Linares – La Carolina mining district extends over 4,000 years, as shown by archaeological investigations. Its importance was such that in the year 1869 the production of lead surpassed that of all England. The exploitation remained active until 1991, when the last mine in Linares closed due to lack of profitability. Since then local associations and city councils have started promoting this interesting heritage. In 1999, due to the uniqueness, abundance and quality of this industrial mining landscape, heritage experts described the area in the British press as "Europe's best kept secret." In the entire mining region you can find remains of industrial archeology of great interest, some unique examples in the world. This scattered set of buildings, railway stations, powerhouses, chimneys, rafters and roads, explain the history of one of the southern parts of Europe where the Industrial Revolution took place, where English, Belgian, French and French communities lived together. Spanish. This combination of history and use of natural resources is an unbeatable pretext for visiting the chimney landscape, the landscape that welcomes visitors who come to Andalusia from the north.