The heavily restored 15th- to 16th-century castle-palace sits right on top of the hill over which Baena spreads. Abandonment and the construction of water tanks inside the castle in the 20th century destroyed nearly all historical structures, but archaeological work has now revealed some remains, and there is interesting explanatory material as well as fine panoramas.
Castillo de Baena
Andalucía
Lonely Planet's must-see attractions
14.1 MILES
On the edge of the Barrio de La Villa, this church represents a high point in Andalucian baroque chiefly thanks to its wonderful Sagrario (Sacristy),…
24.24 MILES
From a distance the Fortaleza de la Mota looks more like a city than a mere fort, with its high church tower and doughty keep rising above the surrounding…
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0.38 MILES
A good reason to come to Baena is to visit this working olive-oil mill, run by a family who own around 100,000 olive trees. Olives are hand-picked to…
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5.08 MILES
Carved out of the limestone massif 4km above Zuheros is this extraordinary cave. From the vast hall at the start of the tour, it's a 415m loop walk (with…
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4.83 MILES
Set on a picturesque pinnacle, Zuheros' castle is of 9th-century Moorish origin, but most of what survives is Christian construction from the 13th and…
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14.2 MILES
Southwest of the centre, an entire plaza/park is reserved for this splendid baroque fountain completed in 1803, with its three-tiered basin continually…
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17.08 MILES
At the panoramic highest point of town, Montilla's once-mighty castle fell into ruin after King Fernando el Católico had its towers demolished in 1508…
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26.51 MILES
A steep 10-minute climb, past Montefrío's town hall (a former 18th-century palace), brings you to this hilltop castle overlooking the town, which hosts an…
Nearby Andalucía attractions
1. Museo Histórico y Arqueológico
0.05 MILES
The well-displayed archaeological museum features some interesting Iberian and Roman statuary and pottery.
2. Museo del Olivar y el Aceite
0.23 MILES
Baena's olive-oil museum, in an old mill, features a traditional oil press in working order, and has displays on the many uses of olives and their oil.
0.38 MILES
A good reason to come to Baena is to visit this working olive-oil mill, run by a family who own around 100,000 olive trees. Olives are hand-picked to…
4.83 MILES
Set on a picturesque pinnacle, Zuheros' castle is of 9th-century Moorish origin, but most of what survives is Christian construction from the 13th and…
4.84 MILES
The tiny but interesting local museum (which doubles as Zuheros' tourist office) displays a variety of stone and bone tools – some as old as the…
5.08 MILES
Carved out of the limestone massif 4km above Zuheros is this extraordinary cave. From the vast hall at the start of the tour, it's a 415m loop walk (with…
7. Jardín Micológico 'La Trufa'
10.33 MILES
In Zagrilla Alta village, 11km northwest of Priego, this botanical garden/museum complex gives perhaps the most comprehensive overview in Europe of the…
12.44 MILES
Owner Miguel Cruz gives excellent tours in English or Spanish at this scenic spot in the Sierra de Montilla, 10km east of town (€10 by taxi). You'll see…