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cathedral Review

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cathedral

Address: Pl. Santa María, Jaén, 23001
Phone: 953/234233

Category: Religious Sites
Location: Jaén

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Fodor's Review:

Jaén's cathedral is a hulk that looms above the modest buildings around it. Begun in 1492 on the site of a former mosque, it took almost 300 years to build. Its chief architect was Andrés de Vandelvira (1509-75); many more of Vandelvira's buildings can be seen in Úbeda and Baeza. The ornate facade was sculpted by Pedro Roldán, and the figures on top of the columns include San Fernando (King Ferdinand III) surrounded by the four evangelists. The cathedral's most treasured relic is the Santo Rostro (Holy Face), the cloth with which, according to tradition, St. Veronica cleansed Christ's face on the way to Calvary, leaving his image imprinted on the fabric. The rostro (face) is displayed every Friday. In the underground museum, look for San Lorenzo, by Martínez Montañés; the Immaculate Conception, by Alonso Cano; and a Calvary scene by Jácobo Florentino.

Cost: Cathedral free, museum EUR 3
Open: Cathedral Mon.-Sat. 8:30-1 and 5-8, Sun. 9-1 and 6-8; museum Tues.-Sat. 10-1 and 5-8

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