Baeza

Baeza is located in the centre of the province; it is part of the region La Loma and Las Villas, of which it is in the southwest extreme. The town, that is famous because of the Renaissance splendour of its monuments, is an influence centre of the western municipalities.

The farming is its main economic activity together with the olive tree crop and the oil industry, although the monumental and cultural tourism has developed a great innkeeper offer. The absence of no farming lands reduces the spaces of natural interest to the River Guadalquivir (Dam of Pedro Marín) and to the wetlands of Laguna Grande, declared Paraje Natural.

This town is a mine of artistic and historic richness. The origins of Baeza are very ancient and Ptolomeo quotes it with the name of Biatra between the oretanos villages. 
 
During Visigoth age it will be called Biattiensis. 
 
In al-Andalus period it was called Biesa and would be head of the kingdom. 
 
The Christian conquest was carried out in 1146 by the king Alfonso VII. It was given the Fuero de Baeza.

It would be conquested again by Moslems in 1158, passing several times from Arabs to Christians until it was conquested by Fernando III in 1227.

In 1388 it belonged to the Crown. Two centuries after it was separated in the war of Granada. 

In XVI century it would have a great economic and cultural development thanks it is located in the middle of fertile land with vegetable gardens, cereals and olive groves. 

San Juan de la Cruz was in these lands and finished here its "Cántico espiritual".

During the revolution of Los Comuneros it takes sides by the rebels against the emperor. 

In 1810, near Baeza, the general Castejón was taken prisoner in his confrontation with the troops of Napoleón, during the War of Independence.

In its Secondary School Antonio Machado was teaching French.

Monuments

Santa Iglesia Catedral 
Seminary San Felipe Neri 
Church of Santa Cruz 
Church of San Pablo 
Church of San Andrés 
Church of Los Descalzos 
Church of El Salvador 
Convent La Magdalena 
Convent La Encarnación 
Convent de San Francisco 
Hospital Purísima Concepción 
Casa Cofradías 
Escribanías Públicas 
Arch of Villalar 
Fuente de los Leones 
Antigua Carniceria 
Puerta del Barbudo 
Antigua Universidad 
Fuente de Santa María 
Puerta de Úbeda 
Palacio Justicia y Cárcel 
Tower of los Aliatares 
La Alhóndiga 
Balcón del Concejo 
Palace de Jabalquinto 
Palace Gil Bayle Cabrera 
Palace Rubín de Ceballos 
School of San Ignacio 
Palace of los Elorza 
Casa de los Cabrera 
Casa de los Acuña 
Palace of Sánchez de Valenzuela 
Palace of los Salcedo 
Colegio de Santiago

Gastronomy

The agricultural produce is very important in Baeza. We can mention the Artichokes with bread rolls, the Cod in the style of Baeza with a fried onion and tomato with sweet red pepper and pine kernels, and the Cocido mareado.

In Easter we can eat the Stews, a dish of beans and boiled chickpeas, knead with onions, aubergines and tomatoes and garnished with pine kernels and sesame.

With regard to sweets, the oatmeal porridges, the pies of pumpkin and syrup or the fruits pâté. All with brandy of grapes or of morello cherries. We can also mention the Ochíos of bread and oil, the Easter pies, a traditional mouthful in Easter.

How to get there

You have to exit Jaén and continue in the road J-14, then take the Motorway A-316 towards Mancha Real - Baeza - Úbeda. Alleyway of Puente Nuevo and you get Baeza.

Distances

To Jaén 53 km 
To Ibros 5 km 
To Begíjar 7 km  
To Lupión 8 km  
To Úbeda 11 km 
To Mármol 11 km 
To Canena 9,5 km 
To La Yedra 5,5 km  
To Villapardillo 8 km  
To Puente del Obispo 9,5 km