Cathedral of Jaen
The first cathedral in Jaen was built on the foundations of an old mosque, after the conquest of the city by Ferdinand III of Castile in 1246.
During the 14th century, Bishop Nicolás de Biedma managed to bring to Jaen the relic of the Holy Face, one of the three cloths that Saint Veronica used to dry the sweat and blood of Jesus when she went up to Calvary. This turned the old church into a pilgrimage site, so it was necessary to expand it.
In the 14th century, a new cathedral was commissioned, which was designed in a Renaissance style by the architect Andrés de Vandelvira. Due to various difficulties, the works took three centuries to complete, and yet the style imagined by the master was respected.
Thanks to its harmonious exterior and solemn and majestic interior, the Cathedral of Jaen is considered one of the most notable architectural examples of the Renaissance in Andalusia. For this reason, the process to have it declared as World Heritage by UNESCO began some years ago.
The Cathedral Museum is located inside the Cathedral of Jaen, specifically in the old pantheon of the canons.
The museum has three exhibition rooms, where the artistic works of the Cathedral and also of other temples of the diocese are displayed. Visitors will be able to contemplate the best of the sacred art in works of goldsmithing, painting and sculpture and also with some copies of liturgical choral books.
The exhibited paintings are dated between the end of the 15th century and the 19th century, although the most represented period is the Baroque.
During the 14th century, Bishop Nicolás de Biedma managed to bring to Jaen the relic of the Holy Face, one of the three cloths that Saint Veronica used to dry the sweat and blood of Jesus when she went up to Calvary. This turned the old church into a pilgrimage site, so it was necessary to expand it.
In the 14th century, a new cathedral was commissioned, which was designed in a Renaissance style by the architect Andrés de Vandelvira. Due to various difficulties, the works took three centuries to complete, and yet the style imagined by the master was respected.
Thanks to its harmonious exterior and solemn and majestic interior, the Cathedral of Jaen is considered one of the most notable architectural examples of the Renaissance in Andalusia. For this reason, the process to have it declared as World Heritage by UNESCO began some years ago.
The Cathedral Museum is located inside the Cathedral of Jaen, specifically in the old pantheon of the canons.
The museum has three exhibition rooms, where the artistic works of the Cathedral and also of other temples of the diocese are displayed. Visitors will be able to contemplate the best of the sacred art in works of goldsmithing, painting and sculpture and also with some copies of liturgical choral books.
The exhibited paintings are dated between the end of the 15th century and the 19th century, although the most represented period is the Baroque.
Location
What to see in Jaen
