Bailén

Bailén (archaically known as Baylen in English) is a town in the province of Jaén, Spain.

Bailén
Municipality
Parish church of the Incarnation.
Flag
Coat of arms
Bailén
Location in Spain
Bailén
Bailén (Andalusia)
Bailén
Bailén (Spain)
Coordinates: 38°5′N 3°46′W
Country Spain
Autonomous community Andalusia
ProvinceJaén
ComarcaSierra Morena
Government
 • MayorLuis Mariano Camacho Núñez
Area
 • Total117.6 km2 (45.4 sq mi)
Elevation
343 m (1,125 ft)
Population
 (2018)[1]
 • Total17,820
 • Density150/km2 (390/sq mi)
Demonym(s)Bailenenses
Time zoneUTC+1 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code
23710
WebsiteOfficial website

History

Bailén is probably the ancient Baecula, where the Romans, under Scipio the elder, signally defeated the Carthaginians in 209 and 206 B.C. In its neighbourhood, also, in 1212, was fought the great Battle of Las Navas de Tolosa, in which, according to the ancient chroniclers, the Castilians under Alphonso VIII, slew 200,000 Almohads, and themselves only lost 25 men. Although this estimate is absurd, the victory of the Christians was complete.[2]

There is a convent that dates from 729.

In 1808, during the Peninsular War, it was the site of a series of clashes (the Battle of Bailén) at which General Castaños defeated General Pierre Dupont.[3] The capitulation, signed at Andújar by Dupont on the 23rd of July 1808, involved the surrender of 17,000 men to the Spaniards, and was the first severe blow suffered by the French in the Peninsular War.[2]

Economy

The town has many quarries, resulting in a reputation for craft products.

Significant Births

Twin towns

Notes
  1. Municipal Register of Spain 2018. National Statistics Institute.
  2.  One or more of the preceding sentences incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Bailén". Encyclopædia Britannica. 3 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 217.
  3. Chandler, p. 618

References


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