The Provincial Historical Archive of Jaén joins the celebration of International Archives Day by presenting a documentary exhibition focused on La Villa de La Guardia, a town near the provincial capital. The exhibition showcases around thirty items, including books, individual documents, and files, sourced from both the provincial archive and the Diocesan Historical Archive.
Among the highlighted pieces is a contract dated December 1542 for the construction of the main chapel of the church in La Guardia. This document was signed by Fray Bartolomé de Santo Domingo, vicar of the Monastery of Santa María Magdalena, and Andrés de Vandelvira, a stonemason and resident of Úbeda. The convent, founded in 1530 by Fray Domingo de Valtanás, was promoted by the lords of La Guardia, Rodrigo Messía and Mayor de Fonseca.
“"To make the public aware of the importance of the archive as society's memory, as a documentary custodian, and as a guarantee of collective memory."
The exhibition traces the history of La Guardia from its conquest in 1244 by Castilian troops, when it was granted as a lordship to Lope Ruiz de Baeza, up to its elevation to a marquisate in 1566. For over two centuries, the municipality served as an advanced post in the defense of Jaén, with a castle controlling passage through the Guadalbullón valley.
The day will conclude in the afternoon with a concert by the Ramón Garay Professional Music Conservatory.
