Lucena is built on the signicant heritage of its Jewish, Arab and Christian past, endowing it with rich artistic and historic legacy. Calle Flores de Negrón leads to the popular quarter known as the BARRIO DE SANTIAGO, which was possibly once part of Lucena’s Jewish area.
Known as The Pearl of Sepharad, Lucena possesses the largest excavated JEWISH NECROPOLIS to be found anywhere in the Iberian Peninsula. Here we can visit the PARROQUIA DE SANTIAGO, a parish church built using material from the old synagogue.
The finest example of the Cordoban Baroque-style can be found in the imposing SAGRARIO DE SAN MATEO, located inside the San Mateo parish church, which also has a magnicent altarpiece. Lucena’s Baroque style can also be experienced by visiting the PALACE OF THE CONDES DE SANTA ANA; THE SAN MARTÍN AND SAN JUAN BAUTISTA CHURCHES; AND THE SANCTUARY OF THE VIRGEN DE ARACELI. You can still experience an atmosphere of spirituality and isolation in the beautiful cloisters of the FRANCISCAN CHURCH.
THE CASTILLO DEL MORAL castle, where Boabdil, the last Muslim king of Granada was held prisoner, is in the centre of the town.