Castle of Saint Catherine (Jaen)
Sitting on the “Cerro de Santa Catalina”, at an altitude of 820 meters, the Castle of Saint Catherine offers a spectacular view of the entire city and the thousands of olive groves in Jaen, and offers the best sunsets in the region.
The name has to do with the chapel that was built in the castle after it had been conquered. The Chapel of Saint Catherine of Alexandria has a Gothic style and was built between the 13th and 14th centuries.
Although the first traces of a defensive use of the hill come from Iberian times, it was the Muslims who built the first fortress. Its walled enclosure, which was defended by six towers, took its current appearance from the hands of the Christians, who after the conquest reinforced it and built the Tower of Homage and the third enclosure of the Alcázar, called “Abrehuí”.
The castle was occupied by Napoleonic troops, who carried out various reforms and used it as a powder magazine and hospital. When leaving the city, the French blew up part of the castle, so that other armies could not use it.
At present, only the Alcázar Nuevo and some evidence of other ancient constructions remain standing. In the Castle of Saint Catherine, there is an interpretation centre that allows you to take a tour through the history of the castle. Visitors can learn about the history of Jaen, from its origins to the present day.
The name has to do with the chapel that was built in the castle after it had been conquered. The Chapel of Saint Catherine of Alexandria has a Gothic style and was built between the 13th and 14th centuries.
Although the first traces of a defensive use of the hill come from Iberian times, it was the Muslims who built the first fortress. Its walled enclosure, which was defended by six towers, took its current appearance from the hands of the Christians, who after the conquest reinforced it and built the Tower of Homage and the third enclosure of the Alcázar, called “Abrehuí”.
The castle was occupied by Napoleonic troops, who carried out various reforms and used it as a powder magazine and hospital. When leaving the city, the French blew up part of the castle, so that other armies could not use it.
At present, only the Alcázar Nuevo and some evidence of other ancient constructions remain standing. In the Castle of Saint Catherine, there is an interpretation centre that allows you to take a tour through the history of the castle. Visitors can learn about the history of Jaen, from its origins to the present day.
Location
What to see in Jaen
