Jaén is a province situated in the eastern part of Andalusia, an autonomous community located in southern Spain.  It is bordered by the Andalusian provinces of Córdoba and Granada, as well as the provinces of Ciudad Real and Albacete of Castile-La Mancha.  It covers an area of 13,484 square kilometers, where in, it contains 97 municipalities.  With a population of 657,387, one-sixth of this only live in the capital city, making Jaen one of the most sparsely populated regions in Spain.

The province’s terrain is largely mountainous, with unspoiled landscapes and dotted with small towns that house numerous magnificent Renaissance buildings.  The landscape is mostly covered by evergreen and ephemeral, deciduous trees and bushes.  Woodlands are not common feature; rather, they are vast thickets that have open grasslands common.  The province is best known for the profusion of olive trees that dominate the landscape, which is interspersed with white-washed buildings and set against a backdrop of deep orange soil.  Jaén is currently the world’s leading producer of olives and olive oil, due to the abundance of this resource.  The source of the Guadalquivir, one of Spain’s most important rivers, is found in sierra de Cazorla as a small mountain spring.

Jaén has a typical sub-tropical climate, giving the province the hottest weathers in Andalusia, hence, bringing the province scarce rains during the summer and humid to moderate climates in the winter.  Rainfall comes irregularly between the months of October up to May. Temperatures during the summer can reach as much as 40 ºC, whilst temperatures at other times of the year can fall below 5 ºC.  This is seen during winters in other areas in the provinces, such as Pontones or Cazorla, where in, winter temperatures can reach below 0ºC.  Meanwhile, summers in the capital city of Jaen can be very hot. This is with temperatures exceeding 42ºC.  Winters in the city, however, do not provide extreme temperatures as it rarely reaches 0ºC.

For years, Jaén province has been one of the least visited provinces in the Iberian Peninsula.  This was due to the terrible roads and communications that connect this province to other areas.  Improvements in the infrastructure and roadways have brought more and more local and international travelers to discover the delights and beauty of this province.  Jaen truly offers more than its stunning natural beauty, as an attraction for these visitors.  Its towns and villages, as well as the customs of the locals themselves, are enough to afford any visitor a taste of life in rural Spain.

Foremost of its interesting sites are its four national parks, the largest of which is the Sierras de Cazorla Natural Park, which is located in the eastern region of the province.  As the park covers a total land area of 209,920 hectares, which is almost a fifth of the entire province, Sierras de Cazorla Natural Park has become Spain’s largest protected area and one of its most extensive forested zones.  Due to its exceptional ecological importance, it was declared a UNESCO biosphere reserve in 1983 six years before it was even created into a natural park.  It connects the Sierra Morena and the Subbética mountain ranges, with much of the areas botanical importance found in the Sierra Nevada.  The Río Guadalquivir and the Segura, two of the Iverian Peninsula’s most important rivers, have their sources in the Sierra de Cazorla.  The park is an excellent camping and hiking area where one could have an intimate encounter with a red deer.  It also offers an excellent venue for various outdoor activities, such as horse trekking, mountain biking, expeditions, 4WD tours, canoeing, fishing, hang-gliding, paragliding, mountaineering, and caving.  

Many travelers to Andalusia enter the region through another national park, called Despeñaperros.  It used to be one of the main routes into Andalusia from Madrid and other northern regions as it is the only natural break in the 500-kilometer long Sierra Morena.  Today, it is occupied by the NIV motorway, wherein it splits into two in order to manage the narrow gorge, fittingly named the "Gateway to Andalusia".  Covering a total land area of 7,649 hectares, its area encompasses rugged terrain, caves, precipitous slopes, waterfalls, and the interestingly shaped Los Órganos Natural Monument.  Running through the park are the rivers of Despeñaperros, Magaña and Campana and the Arroyo del Rey.  Among the most spectacular animals that one could get a glimpse of whilst at the park are different raptors, such as griffon vultures, booted eagles, golden eagles, sparrowhawks, buzzards, and kestrels nesting on rocky crags.  The endangered lynx is thought to still inhabit the area, together with the nearly extinct wolf, foxes, Egyptian mongooses, and wild cats.  The park also provides excellent opportunities for various outdoor activities, such as hiking, mountaineering, and camping.

Aside from the natural attractions that abound in Jaén, the province also abounds in historical attractions that showcase the richness in heritage of the region.  Foremost among these are the two well-preserved Renaissance cities of Úbeda and Baeza.  After a long history of Roman, Visigoths, and Arab besiegers, the Christians reconquered Jaén and the province slowly grew in power and influence.  By the 16th century, the cities of Úbeda and Baeza were among the most important cities of southern Spain.  Both cities have retained the remnants of their former glory with the various monuments and structures found in their old quarters.  They have been both declared as Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO.

Among the most remarkable monuments that Baeza boasts of is the magnificent palace Marquessa de Jabalquinto.  It features an intricate front in grayish-yellow hue, wherein its stalactites are indicative of a strong Moorish influence.  Just above this palace is the cities 16th century Catedral de Santa María, which prides itself of brilliantly painted iron screens, or rajas, made by a 16th century local craftsman.  Another novelty feature of this cathedral is a cunningly hidden huge silver custodia behind a painting of St. Peter.  Some of Baeza’s other chief Renaissance structures include the University, which was established in 1538 and where the poet Antonio Machado had once taught, the squares of Plaza de España, the Paseo de la Constitucíon, the porticoed Plaza Porticada del Mercado Viejo, and the Church of Santa Cruz, which houses equally remarkable paintings.  The Cordova and Úbeda gates and the arch of Baeza are among the remnants of the city’s Moorish fortifications.

Baeza’s counterpart, Ubeda, boasts as much wealth in Renaissance palaces and churches.  The city’s most exceptional monument is the Vázquez de Molina Square, which is one of the best examples of Renaissance architecture in Spain.  Surrounding this square are other Renaissance structures, one of which is the Vázquez de Molina Palace, or the “Chains Place”, aptly named for the decorative chains which had once hung from its façade.  Two other structures that surround the square is the Deán Ortega Palace, which was designed by the renowned Spanish architect, Andrés de Vandelvira in the 16th century, and the Saint Mary of the Royals Alcazars church.  Built on the ruins of Úbeda’s ancient mosque, the church mixes several architectural styles, such as Gothic, Renaissance, and baroque.  One final notable structure that surrounds the Vázquez de Molina Square is the Capilla del Salvador.  It was designed by the Spanish architect Diego de Siloé, and realized by Andrés de Vandelvira.  It boasts of a façade sculpted in stone by Esteban Jamate, which is considered as one of the most beautiful in Andalusia.

All the other cities and villages found in Jaén also boast of their own historical and cultural attractions.  The provincial capital, Jaén City, likewise has an ancient and fascinating history, as well as spectacular remnants of its influential past in its old quarter.  First of these Renaissance structures is the enormous Jaén Cathedral, which was designed and started by Andrés de Vandelvira and finished after 1750.  Some of the cathedral’s remarkable features are the excellent 15th century choir-stalls, and the enshrined “cloth” of Saint Veronica which the saint is said to have used on Christ’s face on his way to Calvary.  It also houses several excellent paintings and some minor works of art in alabaster coral, bronze wrought iron, silver, and gold.  Sitting atop the elongated hill that overlooks the city is the dominating Arabic fortress Castillo de Santa Catalina.  The castle provides excellent views of the Sierra Morena to the east, the city sprawl to Sierra Nevada, and fields of olive tree marching into the backdrop.  Another notable Renaissance structure in the city is the Monasterio de Santa Clara, founded in 1615, is said to be the first Carmelite monastery dedicated to Saint Teresa.  Jaén   City also boasts some of the most well-preserved and largest Arab baths in Spain.  During the 16th century, these baths were filled and the Palacio de Villardompardo was built on top of it.  It was not until 1939 that these baths were rediscovered, and received the Gold medal Europa Nostra in 1984.

Other equally historically-laden and architecturally-rich villages in the province are Albánchez de Úbeda, which was one of the most important villages in the region during the Moorish invasion due to its strategic position, as well housing a wealth of Renaissance churches and Iberian and Roman remains; Alcalá La Real, which was the site of many battles between the Moors and the Christians, as well as several important monuments such as the La Mota Castle, the Abbey Church built atop the original Alcalá Abbey, St Juan Church, and the La Encarnation church and convent; Baños de la Encina, which boasts of a historically and artistically valued Moorish castle; Cazorla, whose origins dates back 6 centuries before Christ and boast of two well-preserved castles—the Moorish La Yedra and the Christian Cinco Esquinas, as well as five convents set amongst the ruins of the Santa Maria Church; Hornos, which boasts of an intact Arab fortress, the 16th century Iglesia de la Asunción, and a Romantic, Renaissance, and Gothic-styled castle; and Iznatoraf, which has more of a Moorish feel than most of the villages found in the province.

With all these historical attractions, and unspoiled landscape and countryside, Jaén makes for an ideal location for setting up a new hoem for any anyone who is in search of a lifestyle remote from the hustle and bustle of urban cities and tourist towns, but much rather live a genuine rural Spanish lifestyle.  Purchasing a property in Jaén   has its several attractions, some of which includes living in wide, open spaces, an opportunity to live within a historical town or city and yet be in close proximity with Spain’s most important nature reserves, a lower cost of living, a wide range of property choices as well as settings for these properties, rural properties with large plots, and property prices that are at the lower end of them market.

In view of the current Spanish property market, the province of Jaén is a most desirable location for purchasing properties in Spain.  With most property prices in other well-known property locations at the upper extreme of the market, Jaén properties have its prices 60% below the national average.  House prices in the region averages at 123981 Euros.  In addition, property buyers can expect a growth in their investment, albeit not the same double digits experienced during the recent boom.  This is partially due to Spanish properties’ continued attractiveness to foreign buyers despite the current slowed in the overall Spanish property market.  Another reason is the growing attractiveness and popularity of Spanish inland locations as many buyers are looking for properties that would give better value for their investments.

Jaén properties also consist of apartments and townhouses that are often ready for renovation, as well as farmhouses with larger plots, country villas, and village and town houses.  Every village, town, and city in Jaén always has a choice of properties for all seasons.  Having a personal companion and a real estate agent that will accompany you, especially when you are looking at a Jaen property, is always best.  Lastly, visiting the location during its different seasons, along with staying in different lodgings would give someone a wider aspect of life in that area before making a decision.