Miguel Hernández Tour

The poet Miguel Hernandez fought on the front lines in Jaén during the Spanish Civil War. Discover his personal and literary legacy in this Andalusian city on this tour.

Miguel Hernández Tour

"Andaluces de Jaén, /aceituneros altivos, /decideme en el alma: ¿quién, /quién levantó los olivos?" These verses by Miguel Hernández, written in 1937, became part of the provincial anthem of Jaén. He married Josefina Manresa and soon left for the Jaén front lines during the Spanish Civil War. This guided tour begins in the central Plaza de San Ildefonso and commemorates the writer's legacy during his time in Jaén.

On this tour of the historic center of Jaén, we will explore Miguel Hernández's connections with the city. He served as Commissioner of Culture, and directed a newspaper called Altavoz del Frente Sur ('Loudspeaker of the Southern Front'). It was during this period that he wrote the poem Aceituneros. We will discuss the significance of these verses and others found in his famous book Vientos del pueblo.

The tour concludes at the air raid shelter in Plaza de Santiago, a site that left a strong impression on Hernández during the war. In this underground bunker, we will view portraits, poems, and reporting from the writer that reflect the impact of the bombings in 1937 on the local community.