White Town

White Town

Baena is a white town located in the heart of Andalusia, in the province of Córdoba. Its name is part of the tradition of Andalusian white towns, known for their bright whitewashed houses.

Baena is surrounded by olive groves that create a stunning landscape, especially during the olive harvest, which is one of the region’s main economic drivers. The old town of Baena is a maze of narrow, cobbled streets where the white façades blend with ceramic tile accents and architectural details typical of the region.

The town has a rich history, reflected in its architecture. Highlights include the Church of Santa María la Mayor, a witness to many historical periods, and the Castle of Baena, a fortress offering breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding olive groves.

Additionally, Baena is a hub of Andalusian culture, with festivals and celebrations that reflect the soul of the town.

Baena es un pueblo blanco que se encuentra en el corazón de Andalucía
Baena

The Urban Layout

Mapa de Baena
Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe

01

Church of Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe
This church stands out for its 16th-century Mudejar coffered ceiling, unique in the province for its size and artistic quality, its rich Baroque altarpiece, and the chapel of the Virgin of Guadalupe.

Plaza Virrey del Pino

02

Plaza Virrey del Pino
This square marks the transition between historic Baena and the more modern area, known as “the expansion,” with wide avenues offering the city’s main commercial area, complementing the traditional shops of the old town. The square is presided over by a statue honoring Joaquín del Pino y Rozas, a distinguished Baena native who became Viceroy of the Río de la Plata in the 18th century.

Museo del Olivar y el Aceite

03

Olive and Oil Museum
Located in an old mill, this museum showcases and promotes the most significant aspects of olive oil culture. It offers an educational space where visitors can engage their five senses to explore this ancient tradition.

Plaza de la Constitución

04

Plaza de la Constitución
Formerly known as Plaza del Coso, this square features 18th-century Baroque-style buildings, such as the Casa del Monte and the nearby Casa de la Tercia, which houses the essential Historical and Archaeological Museum. It also includes modern buildings like the Town Hall and the Liceo Theater. From this square, Mesones Street and Cardenal Herranz Street lead to grand traditional houses, also found along Amador de los Ríos Street.

Museo Histórico y Arqueológico

05

Historical and Archaeological Museum
Located in the emblematic Casa de la Tercia, this renovated municipal museum presents an extraordinary collection, including new discoveries from the Torreparedones Archaeological Park. It provides a privileged space for understanding the cultural layers that have shaped local history for millennia.

Castillo de Baena

06

Castle
Dating back to the 8th century, the castle was built by Arab-Berber invaders who fortified the site. It once had at least ten towers, including the impressive Arqueras Tower, where Boabdil was imprisoned. The fortress originally had two gates: the Placeta Gate in Plaza de Palacio and the now-lost Campo Gate. The minaret of Baena’s original mosque still stands as the bell tower of the Church of Santa María la Mayor. Almoravid and Almohad influences remain visible in some sections of the wall.

Plaza Palacio

07

Plaza Palacio
This square, located on the hill where Baena was founded, is the city’s most prestigious site. A 360-degree view from here reveals the Alcazaba Castle, Baena’s expansion towards the countryside, the Convent and Church of Madre de Dios, the tower of Santa María la Mayor—once known as the “Cathedral of the Countryside”—and the winding streets of the Almedina neighborhood. It is the perfect starting point for exploring the most authentic Baena.

Convento e iglesia Madre de Dios

08

Convent and Church of Madre de Dios
Founded in 1510, the convent retains only its church from the original structure. This small jewel features a portico by Hernán Ruiz I, a vault designed by his successor Hernán Ruiz the Younger, inspired by Diego de Siloé, valuable paintings, and an impressive 16th-century Mudejar coffered ceiling above the choir and carved wooden stalls.

Iglesia de Santa María la Mayor

09

Church of Santa María la Mayor
This imposing temple dates back to the time of Baena’s conquest by King Ferdinand III (13th century). Inside, it boasts a grand Plateresque iron grille, comparable to those found in the most renowned cathedral churches.

Muralla de Baena

10

City Walls
Baena preserves significant sections of its ancient walls, often integrated into houses built over centuries. These fortifications originated alongside the castle during the era of continuous frontier wars between Christian and Muslim forces, who exchanged control of the city multiple times. Christians ultimately expelled the original founders in the 13th century.

Iglesia de San Bartolomé

11

Church of San Bartolomé
First documented in 1448, this church features remarkable 17th-century carved wooden pulpits, the Chapel of the Tabernacle with painted panels, and a triptych depicting the Baptism of Christ.

Iglesia de San Francisco

12

Church of San Francisco
Franciscan monks arrived in Baena around 1550, but the current church was built in the 18th century. It features a grand gilded wooden altarpiece and the image of Jesús Nazareno, Baena’s patron saint, an exquisite 18th-century Andalusian Baroque sculpture.

Iglesia de Santa Marina

13

Church of Santa Marina
The Church of Santa Marina, built in 1711 on the site of the former Hospital of Jesús Nazareno, combines simplicity and elegance. Its highlights include the gated entrance, a courtyard with columns and semicircular arches, a checkered tile floor, and a beamed ceiling. Its historical and architectural value makes it a place of cultural and religious interest.

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