{"id":20446,"date":"2010-04-22T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2010-04-22T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.clubvillamar.com\/blog\/uncategorized\/jaen-the-olive-oil-capital\/"},"modified":"2018-02-25T21:17:28","modified_gmt":"2018-02-25T21:17:28","slug":"jaen-the-olive-oil-capital","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.clubvillamar.com\/blog\/spain\/jaen-the-olive-oil-capital\/","title":{"rendered":"Ja\u00e9n \u2013 the olive oil capital"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Overview<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

The city Ja\u00e9n<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0is in south-central\u00a0Spain and it gets its name from the Arabic word Jayyan meaning crossroads of caravans. In the year 2006 its population was about 120,000. Ja\u00e9n is considered as the World Capital of\u00a0Olive<\/a> oil because this liquid gold \u2013 olive oil is produced in large quantities in this city. The industries in this city are \u2013 chemical works, distilleries, tanneries, textiles and cookie factories.<\/span><\/p>\n

This city is associated with a legend of a large lizard \u2013 El Lagarto de Jaen<\/strong><\/a> \u2013 and there is a belief that this lizard eats children as tapas while drinking cellars of wine.<\/span>
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\nClimate<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

The maximum and minimum average temperatures in this city are 35 \u00b0C in July-August and 13 \u00b0C in January.<\/span><\/p>\n

Art and culture <\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

The following museums are popular in this city:<\/span><\/p>\n

1.Ja\u00e9n Provincial Museum Ja\u00e9n<\/a> <\/strong>\u2013 has Iberian art collections, Sculptures from Cerrillo Blanco and funerary treasures.<\/span><\/p>\n

2.Manuel Mor\u00e1n International Museum of Na\u00efve Art Ja\u00e9n \u2013 contains works of Spanish and foreign artists.<\/span><\/p>\n

3.Museum of Art and Popular Traditions Ja\u00e9n \u2013 exhibits items such as farm tools, ceramics, furniture, clothing, etc.<\/span><\/p>\n

The following monuments are worth visiting in this city:<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

1.Palacio de Villardompardo – Villardompardo Palace Ja\u00e9n<\/strong><\/a> \u2013 is a palace where there are 10th century Arab baths hidden; these baths were called the Ali baths.<\/span><\/p>\n

2.Ja\u00e9n Cathedral Ja\u00e9n \u2013 is a cathedral built in the 15th century and dedicated to the Assumption of the Virgin.<\/span><\/p>\n

3.Castillo de Santa Catalina – Santa Catalina Castle Ja\u00e9n \u2013 is a castle standing on Santa Catalina hill.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Parks and Playgrounds<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

The following are some of the Natural reserves in this city:<\/span><\/p>\n

1.Despe\u00f1aperros Natural Park \u2013 is located in Brown mountain range and is formed naturally by the river between the Andalusia and Castilian plateau.<\/span><\/p>\n

2.Sierra M\u00e1gina natural park \u2013 is a part of the Subbetic mountain range.<\/span><\/p>\n

3.Sierras de And\u00fajar Natural Park \u2013 is located in the heart of the Sierra Morena Mountains.<\/strong><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

4.Sierras de Cazorla – Segura y Las Villas Natural Park \u2013 is the largest protected park in Europe and it is home for 24 endangered species.<\/span><\/p>\n

Cuisine<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

The following local dishes are popular in this city:<\/span><\/p>\n

1.Pipirrana \u2013 made from breadcrumbs, green peppers, tomato, garlic shoots, vinegar, olive oil, salt and hard-boiled egg.<\/span><\/p>\n

2.Spinach a la Ja\u00e9n \u2013 made from spiced sausage, orange zest croutons, garlic, egg, bayleaf and vinegar.<\/span><\/p>\n

3.Rice pudding.<\/span>
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\nSports and Entertainment <\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Football is a popular sports practiced in this city. In addition trekking, climbing, Chess and athletics are also followed. International Piano Competition Premio Ja\u00e9n started in 1953 is the oldest and most important piano competition in Spain. In addition, Ciclos de Rock and the Lagarto Rock Festival<\/a> are some of the festivals tourists can enjoy.<\/span><\/p>\n