JAEN is a town of Spain, and the capital of the ancient province of the same name, which is now under the govern ment of Andalusia. Jaen is supposed by some to be the Oningi of Pliny, the Oringi of Livy, and the Mentesaa of the Romans. The city, which is situated at the foot of a mountain of mixed marble, is surrounded by walls flanked with towers. The town is of a middle size, and has some squares, one of which is spacious. The water, with which the town is well supplied, is distributed in the squares, streets, and houses. Jaen is the see of a bishop, suffra gan of the archbishop of Toledo, formerly fixed at Bii. •za. The diocese contains two cathedral chapters, one at 13aeza, and the other at Jaen ; two collegiate chapters, one at Blieza, and the other at Ubeda ; seven archpriests, and 438 parish churches. The principal public buildings are the cathedral and parish churches, and a great number of monasteries, nunneries, and two hospitals. The cathedral is a noble piece of architecture. The eastern front, flank
ed with two fine towers, is adorned • with eight Corin thian columns, and has three doors embellished with bas reliefs. The chapel of the Sacrario is esteemed a fine piece of architecture. The parish church of St Claire contains an exquisite painting of the Virgin and our Sa viour. The convent church of the nuns of St Clair is a handsome building, and the principal altar is adorned with some excellent paintings by Angel Nardi. Jaen was fot merly a rich and commercial town, but its silk manufac tories failed about the end of the 16th century. About the middle of the 18th century, 5000 tape looms, 1200 ribbon looms, and several silk ones, were set to work, but they did not succeed, and few of them remain at preseut. The country around Jaen is rich and beautiful ; the silk-worm is reared, but not in great quantities. Population 30,000. See Laborde's View of Spain, vol. ii. p. 117.