Linares
This important and densely populated city is situated in the centre of the province, at the foot of the Sierra Morena Mountains, surrounded by cork oaks and olive trees. Throughout the area, we can find numerous chimneys and other industrial remains, silent witnesses of its mining past.
Nowadays, it is the most important industrial centre in the province, as it is clearly shown in its urban appearance, an eclectic (and to some extent, amorphous) combination of styles which is characteristic of the cities with a fast and disorganized growth.
However, the city preserves examples of its rich and varied past, churches, noble houses and other buildings of interest such as the Church of Santa María la Mayor, the Church of San Francisco, the main door of the Palacio de Justicia (Court House), the Chapel of Nuestra Señora de Linarejos, the Hospital of the Marquises of Linares, the Zambrana Palace, Pajares House, the Old Pósito (a communal granary), the House of la Munición, the House-Museum of Andrés Segovia and the sadly well known Bullring, because of the death of the great bullfighter Manolete.
Other places of interest are the ruins of the Roman Village of Cástulo, the Roman Bridge of Pielago, the Castle of Tobaruela, the Guadalén and La Fernandina Reservoirs and the ruins of San Luis and La Cruz foundries.
