Canena: Culture, Thermal Water and Festivals in Jaén

The Castillo de Canena is a Renaissance building constructed in the 16th century by the Spanish Renaissance architect Andrés de Vandelvira (1509–1575). It is protected as a Bien de Interés Cultural.

Culture

The parish church of Nuestra Señora de la Concepción was built in the first half of the 16th century in the Renaissance style. It has a robust Almohad crypt dating from around the year 1000. Canena therefore has buildings from different periods standing side by side: the castle belongs to the Renaissance, while the church’s crypt dates back to a significantly earlier period.

The Museo de las Telecomunicaciones de Canena provides an overview of the development of telecommunications. This ranges from the earliest systems for communicating over distances to satellite and internet connections. The museum displays numerous exhibits, many of them still in working order, from the fields of terminal equipment, switching, transmission, cables, radio and satellite technology. The exhibition therefore covers both historical forms of communication and technical areas leading up to modern satellite and internet connections.

Molinillo is a hydraulic installation from Roman times that was used to grind grain.

Landscape

Numerous roads and hiking trails cross the municipality of Canena. Viewpoints offer panoramic views across the La Loma comarca. In La Loma, in the province of Jaén, an extensive sea of olive trees shapes the landscape. The Balneario de San Andrés has thermal water, whose use dates back to Roman times. It is currently the only spa in operation in the province of Jaén.

The landscapes of Canena connect the municipality’s roads and viewpoints with the wider surroundings of the La Loma comarca. Among these impressions stands the Balneario de San Andrés, with its use of thermal water dating back to Roman times.

Festivals and Traditions

The Festival de Música Villa de Canena takes place every year on weekends in July, using the Castillo de Canena as its venue.

In summer, the festival includes concerts in the Auditorio and in the Columnas and Armas courtyards of the castle. The programme includes classical music, opera, jazz and other styles.

The Fiestas de la Virgen de los Remedios in Canena take place from 14 to 25 August.

The Fiestas de la Virgen de los Remedios include a procession with the image of the Virgin Mary, a sculpture by the artist Navas Parejo. Public verbenas are also part of the festivities.

Another local custom is that, on this day, the head of the Cofradía del Santo gives “roscas de la caridad” to all residents and visitors present in Canena.

During a celebration in Canena, men, women and children must come barefoot to the local pilgrimage chapel.

More destinations

Other destinations in this selection are Bélmez De La Moraleda, Iznatoraf, Ventas del Carrizal, Navas de San Juan, Tíscar, Fuensanta De Martos, Ermita Nueva and Chilluévar.

To the overarching travel overview: Jaen.