Jaen

Castilla de Santa Catalina, Jaén

The city of Jaén may not have the appeal of Granada or Córdoba but, nevertheless, it is pleasant enough. It sits amidst an undulating plain of olive trees at the foot of the hill of Santa Catalina on which stands the castle. The Castillo de Santa Catalina is a 13th century fortress with spectacular views. It is now a parador.

The city’s old town has most of the places of interest. Jaén Cathedral is spectacular. It has a magnificent Renaissance façade and was built between the 16th and 17th centuries. It is surely one of the finest cathedrals in Andalucía, if not Spain, and dominates the old town. This old quarter of the city consists of a maze of narrow streets and small squares, many lined with religious buildings.

Jaén Cathedral

In the new town there is the Museo Provincial, a creditable museum with interesting paintings and Roman artefacts.

Jaén - Ayuntamiento and other buildings in Plaza Santa María

 more blogs by Robert Bovington...

"Photographs of Spain"	http://bovingtonphotosofspain.blogspot.com/
"postcards from Spain"	http://bovington-posts.blogspot.com/
"you couldn't make it up!"	http://bovingtonycmitup.blogspot.com/
"a grumpy old man in Spain"	http://grumpybobbov.blogspot.com/
"bits and bobs"	http://bovingtonbitsandblogs.blogspot.com/
"Spanish Expressions"	http://spanishsayingsbovington.blogspot.com/
"Spanish Art"	http://bovingtonspanishart.blogspot.com/
"Books About Spain"	http://bovingtonbooks.blogspot.com/

Murcia Cathedral

by Robert Bovington

If there were but one reason to visit the city of Murcia, it would have to be to see the cathedral - La Catedral de Santa María is the most impressive monument in the city.  You can't really miss it! Its 92 metre tower can be seen from miles around. The Cathedral was built on the foundations of an old mosque and the first stone laid in 1394 but the building, as it appears today, was not completed until the 18th century. 

Murcia Cathedral © Robert Bovington

There is a mix of styles that reflect the additions made over four centuries. There are Gothic elements such as the La Puerta de los Apósteles and La Capilla de los Vélez, which are both 15th century whilst the 16-century Junierón Chapel is Renaissance. The Baroque façade of the 'Puerta del Perdón' entrance is quite spectacular - ornately sculptured to look like an altar. The highlight of the interior is the Vélez chapel with its magnificent ornamental stone carvings. The tower took a long time to complete - it was started in the 16th century and finished in the 18th century. The views from the top are stupendous!

Murcia Cathedral - La Puerta de los Apósteles
© Robert Bovington

 

Murcia riverside panorama © Robert Bovington

 

more blogs by Robert Bovington...

"Photographs of Spain"	http://bovingtonphotosofspain.blogspot.com/
"postcards from Spain"	http://bovington-posts.blogspot.com/
"you couldn't make it up!"	http://bovingtonycmitup.blogspot.com/
"a grumpy old man in Spain"	http://grumpybobbov.blogspot.com/
"bits and bobs"	http://bovingtonbitsandblogs.blogspot.com/
"Spanish Expressions"	http://spanishsayingsbovington.blogspot.com/
"Spanish Art"	http://bovingtonspanishart.blogspot.com/
"Books About Spain"	http://bovingtonbooks.blogspot.com/