Baena | |
---|---|
Coordinates: 37°37′10″N 4°19′34″W / 37.61944°N 4.32611°W | |
Country | Spain |
Autonomous community | Andalusia |
Province | Córdoba |
Comarca | Campiña de Baena |
Government | |
• Mayor | María Jesús Serrano Jiménez (PSOE) |
Area | |
• Total | 362.5 km2 (140.0 sq mi) |
Elevation (
AMSL) | 405 m (1,329 ft) |
Population (2018)
[1] | |
• Total | 19,338 |
• Density | 53/km2 (140/sq mi) |
Time zone | UTC+1 ( CET) |
• Summer ( DST) | UTC+2 (CEST (GMT +2)) |
Postal code | 14850 |
Area code | +34 (Spain) + 957 (Córdoba) |
Website | Town Hall |
Baena is a town and municipality of Spain located in the province of Córdoba, Andalusia. It is situated near the river Marbella on the slope of a hill 52 kilometres (32 mi) southeast of Córdoba by road. The population of the town is 20,266 (2012).
The site of the Roman town (Baniana or Biniana). [2] [3] In 1833, a subterranean vault was discovered, containing twelve cinerary urns with inscriptions commemorating members of the Pompeian family. [2]
Following the demise of the Caliphate of Córdoba, the town was ravaged by Berbers, bringing its prosperity to an end. [4]
Once conquered Córdoba, Ferdinand III rapidly acquired a number of towns in the Campiña—including Baena—in 1241, probably meeting no resistance. [5]
The hill is crowned by fortifications. In 1292, Nasrid Granada, ruled by Muhammad II, unsuccessfully besieged the citadel, which was held for Sancho IV; [3] the five Moorish heads in its coat-of-arms commemorates the occasion. [2] The castile was a base for Gonzalo de Cordova and was held in the 19th century by the Altamira family. [2] At that time, it held four parish churches and three schools conducted by sisters of charity. The girls' school held a high reputation in its province, despite not going beyond reading, writing, arithmetic, and religious instruction. [2] Its population was around 12,000 in the 1870s [2] and 15,000 by the turn of the century. [3] Grain and olive oil were the principal articles of commerce in the 19th century; [2] by the time of the First World War, horse-breeding and linen-weaving had also developed, despite the nearest railroad station being at Luque. [3]
At the beginning of the Spanish Civil War the town was the scenario of the Baena Massacre, a ruthless mass-execution of Spanish republicans where about 700 loyalists were murdered by the orders of rebel Colonel Sáenz de Buruaga. [6] [7] [8] Other estimates mention up to 2,000 victims following the brutal repression in Baena. [9]
High-quality olive oil continues to be the mainstay of the local economy.[ citation needed] Sierras Subbéticas Natural Park is located to the south of the town.[ citation needed]