Úbeda Renaissance Town

Úbeda, Spain

Úbeda is a municipality of Spain located in the province of Jaén. Both this town and the neighbouring Baeza benefited from extensive patronage in the early 16th century resulting in the construction of a series of Renaissance style palaces and churches, which have been preserved ever since. In 2003, UNESCO declared the historic centres and landmarks of these two towns a World Heritage Site.

The most outstanding feature of the city is the monumental Vázquez de Molina Square, surrounded with imposing Renaissance buildings such as the Palacio de las Cadenas (so named for the decorative chains which once hung from the façade) and the Basílica de Santa María de los Reales Alcázares. The Chapel of the Savior or Capilla del Salvador was constructed to house the tombs of local nobility. Both the interior and exterior are decorated; for example, the interior has elaborate metalwork screen by the ironworker Bartolomé de Jaen. The Hospital de Santiago, designed by Vandelvira in the late 16th century, with its square bell towers and graceful Renaissance courtyard, is now the home of the town's Conference Hall. Úbeda has a Parador hotel, housed in a 16th-century palace which was the residence of a high-ranking churchman of that period.

The city possesses 48 monuments, and more of another hundred of buildings of interest, almost all of them of Renaissance style.

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Details

Founded: 16th century
Category: Historic city squares, old towns and villages in Spain

Rating

4.5/5 (based on Google user reviews)

User Reviews

Bernardo López Molina (2 years ago)
Small and secluded palace. It's a bit run down.
Rafael Merelo (3 years ago)
One of the Renaissance palaces of Úbeda, it can be visited during office hours because it contains dependencies of the town hall.
Juan A. Salcedo (6 years ago)
The photo they have displayed on Google is of the Palacio de los Orozco, in San Pedro square, a super nice place where there is also the oldest church in Úbeda (not visitable) and a great restaurant (Le Bistro) to eat with a beautiful terrace in said square.
Adrian Panadero Martin (6 years ago)
The photo that reports this entry does not correspond to the palace that I mention, this late medieval and Renaissance manor house, is a public space where administrative and leisure tasks are carried out, for almost 20 years the storytelling festival in the month of June. Last year we were right here enjoying a wonderful evening. This house was inherited by his nephew Alvaro de Torres, who gives its name to the square and to a hotel just opposite, also a manor house from the same period.
PILAR SORIANO DOMÈNECH (7 years ago)
Beautiful palace. And a great woman Maria José. That he runs it with great attention to detail towards his clients. We were very comfortable, a very comfortable and spacious room. Very central in the old town. All luxury at a very good price. Thank you very much for your attention Maria José. We will be back.
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