Santa Catalina

The Santa Catalina Peri-urban Park is close to the city of Jaén. It is popular with local residents, bringing together natural and cultural attractions, alongside recreational and leisure activities.

At the top of Santa Catalina Hill there is one of the best viewpoints in the whole province, offering stunning views of the city, the surrounding countryside and the rugged mountains of Jaén, Mágina and Sierra Sur.

The limestone rock in these mountains gives the landscape a whitish hue that contrasts with the green of olive groves. The landscape here comprises a dense, re-planted pine forest which is more than 50 years old.

Santa Catalina Castle is faithful witness to human settlement of these mountains. It is a majestic Moorish fortress, conquered by Ferdinand III "the saint" in 1246. Traditionally, local people head up to the castle on the feast of Santa Catalina to eat barbecued sardines. The castle is now the site of a tourist visitor centre for the city.

Close by there are many routes that lead to unusual, beautiful spots - mountains that are close to the city of Jaén but surprisingly peaceful and quiet.