The province of Jaén stands out not only for its natural beauty, with mountain landscapes and natural areas perfect for active tourism, but also for its impressive historical and artistic heritage. This includes its religious architecture. You can see this for yourself in this post, where we have selected the 5 best churches in Jaén… although many others have been left off this list.
Sacra Capilla del Salvador, Úbeda
The Renaissance cities of Úbeda and Baeza are true monumental gems, as evidenced by their joint designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Therefore, it is ‘essential’ to mention their main temples in this list of the best churches in the province of Jaén. Such is the case of the Sacra Capilla del Salvador in Úbeda. Its architects were none other than Diego de Siloé and Andrés de Vandelvira, featuring a stunning facade. The main altarpiece by Alonso de Berruguete is equally remarkable.
Cathedral of the Nativity, Baeza
Although this temple deserved to be in our other post about the best cathedrals in Andalusia, we have included it in this list of the most beautiful churches in Jaén because it is undoubtedly among them. Its author is, once again, Andrés de Vandelvira, who gave it its Renaissance appearance and designed its imposing proportions. Its interior exudes symmetry and elegance, contrasted by the grand Baroque altarpiece at the altar.
Church of the Assumption, Villacarrillo
The third and final work by Andrés de Vandelvira on this list of the best churches in the province of Jaén… though many others could be mentioned. We are referring to the Church of the Assumption in Villacarrillo, the most representative monument of this town in the La Loma and Cuatro Villas regions. Externally, its sober yet elegant Plateresque ‘Portada del Sol’ stands out, while the interior features a beautiful hall-style floor plan with painted vaults.
Abbey Church of the Fortaleza de la Mota, Alcalá la Real
This church deserves to be in the ranking of the best churches in Jaén not only for its beautiful structure but also for its privileged location: in the heart of the Fortaleza de la Mota, a spectacular fortress with an elegant preserved Keep. From here, visitors can also enjoy wonderful views of the province’s Sierra Sur. Its large tower and buttresses are in harmony with the surrounding military space, while the interior floor now reveals archaeological excavations.
Ermita del Cristo del Llano, Baños de la Encina
Although the town’s main monument is the spectacular Burgalimar Castle, included in this post, a visit to this small chapel will not disappoint. This is especially true for the interior of its dressing room tower (camarín), one of the most dazzling displays of Rococo in Andalusia.
As you can see, these five churches in Jaén are monuments that will leave a lasting impression on your next trip to the province. If you wish to organize a route through the region that includes these or other temples, we invite you to plan your experience with Andalucía Exclusiva to design a bespoke itinerary.
