Baeza Cathedral

Baeza Cathedral tickets: which one to buy

Baeza Cathedral stands on the Plaza de Santa María in the old town of Baeza, Andalusia, Spain, and a ticket is required, including an audio guide and access to the tower, which offers views over the town and the olive groves. Baeza and its neighbour Úbeda, about ten kilometres away, are listed together by UNESCO for their Renaissance architecture. Walking tours of Baeza combine the cathedral with the Plaza del Pópulo, the Palacio de Jabalquinto with its Gothic facade, the old university, where the poet Antonio Machado taught, and the town walls.

A car is the easiest way to visit Baeza, as public transport is limited, and it can be combined with Úbeda and Jaén. The province of Jaén is the world's largest producer of olive oil, and tastings are popular. The cathedral is active, and visiting pauses during services. Buses from Jaén and Úbeda stop at Baeza's bus station, about ten minutes' walk from the old town.

Visiting Baeza Cathedral: what to see

The cathedral was built on the site of a mosque after the Christian conquest of Baeza in 1227, and it was rebuilt several times. The present building dates largely from the sixteenth century, when it was redesigned by Andrés de Vandelvira, the great architect of Renaissance Jaén, after part of the earlier Gothic church collapsed. The cathedral combines Gothic elements, such as the Puerta de la Luna, with a Renaissance interior with columns and vaults. Inside, it holds a gilded high altar, chapels decorated by noble families, a carved choir and a painted pulpit of wrought iron. Its most famous treasure is a silver monstrance from the eighteenth century, which is carried in the Corpus Christi procession, displayed in a special cabinet that opens when a coin is inserted, with music.

The cloister holds Mudéjar chapels from the earlier mosque. The tower was originally a minaret. The cathedral's side chapels hold altarpieces and grilles made by local craftsmen. The choir's stalls are carved with saints. The Puerta de la Luna, a Gothic doorway, was used by the canons. The cloister's chapels have Mudéjar decoration from the time of the mosque. The monstrance, made of silver and gold, is decorated with figures and precious stones. The tower's viewing platform offers views of the Sierra de Cazorla. The fountain of Santa María in the square in front of the cathedral was built in the sixteenth century. The Seminary of San Felipe Neri, beside the square, has walls with red inscriptions painted by students.

Baeza Cathedral opening hours and the best time to go

The cathedral is open daily, with a break at lunchtime. Summer in Jaén is hot, and spring and autumn are the most pleasant seasons. The olive harvest, from November to January, brings activity to the countryside. Holy Week and Corpus Christi are celebrated with processions. The Plaza de Santa María is beautiful at night, when the buildings are lit. Allow about forty-five minutes for the cathedral and tower, and walk through the old town to the Plaza del Pópulo. The Plaza del Pópulo, with its Fountain of the Lions and the old slaughterhouse, is a few minutes' walk from the cathedral.