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Baeza is situated in the geographical centre of the province of Jaen, at the top of a slightly inclined hill from which it offers a splendid view of the Guadalquivir valley and the mountain ranges.

To visit Baeza is to go back in time. Its streets, its squares, its palaces, the ample range of styles: romanic, mudejar, gothic, renaissance and plateresque. All of this makes the town an unrivalled place where time seems to have stopped.

Its origins are very remote, remains belonging to the Bronze Age have been found, but many cultures have left their print on Baeza over time. During the Roman occupation it was known as Beatia. It was also an important Visigothic town and, during the moslem period, it was the capital of a small Arabic Kingdom, the era in which it received the name Bayyasa. In 1227 it was decisively conquered by Fernando III, playing an important part in reconquering Al Andalus (the arabic name for Andalusia) for which it earned the name "Nido Real de Gavilanes" (Royal Nest of Sparrowhawks).

The 16th and 17th centuries constituted Baeza's most splendid era and a great many of the town's civil and religious monuments are dated from then, although the town also comprises of important buildings of other eras and styles. Furthermore, in the 16th century the University of Baeza was created, which was twinned with that of Salamanca, in which San Juan de Avila and San Juan de la Cruz gave classes. Nowadays, it is one of the headquarters of the International University of Andalusia.

There are many places of monumental interest in Baeza. Some of the historic and artistic components of the town are: the Plaza de los Leones (the Lion's Square), with the Fuente de los Leones (the Fountain of the Lions) in its centre, which is surrounded by the Antigua Carnicería (The Old Meat Market), the Casa del Pópulo (The House of the Populus) and to complete the square the Puerta de Jaén (The Gate of Jaen) and the Arco de Villalar (Arch of Villalar); the Plaza de España, which was formerly the Plaza del Mercado Viejo (Old Market Square), which has been the nerve centre of the town since the 16th century; the Plaza de Santa María, in which the Cathedral, the Casas Consistoriales Altas and the Seminary of San Felipe Neri are situated, and in the centre of the square there is the Fuente de Santa María (Fountain of Saint Mary)... Walking around Baeza you discover its never-ending monumental ensemble at every step.

The Corpus Christi festival in Baeza is also of great tradition and beauty. The processional monstrance of the Corpus Christi is a magnificent work of craftsmanship in precious metals from the 18th century. For the passing of the procession, the streets are adorned with altars and carpets of flowers.

The pilgrimage of the Cristo de la Yedra (Christ of Ivy), which is held on the 7th of September, is an exciting and popular festival. The image of the Virgin of Rosell is taken on procession from the St. Paul's Church to the Hermitage of the Cristo de la Yedra. In the surroundings of the hermitage they hold equestrian competitions fairs and dances, especially the boleros of Jaen.

In mid-August they hold the patron saint festivals in honour of Santa María del Alcázar, Patron Saint of Baeza.

In Holy Week, Cazuelas are typical, a dish of broad beans and boiled chickpeas, mixed with onions, aubergines and tomatoes and embellished with sweet-nut and sesame.

For dessert there is pap, vermicelli pie or compote. And to accompany it, there are grape or cherry liquor. Ochíos of bread and oil are very typical as are hornazos (Easter cake), a traditional thing to eat during Holy Week.