Ubeda

Ubeda - Overview:

Ubeda (pronounced oo-bay-da) is a haven for history lovers as it has a wealth of Renaissance palaces and churches.

Ubeda's most outstanding feature is the monumental square, the Plaza de Vazquez de Molina, which is surrounded by imposing buildings such as the Palacio de las Cadenas (so named for the decorative chains which once hung from the facade).

The Capilla del Salvador also has a chapel screen by the ironworker Bartolome 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 home to the town's Conference Hall. Ubeda has a distinctly Castillian severity, with its granite buildings and plazas, as opposed to the white walls and flower-filled courtyards normally associated with Andalucia. In many ways the architecture of Ubeda resembles Segovia and Avila more than Cordoba or Seville. Poetry lovers will be interested to know that the 16th century mystic Saint John of the Cross died in a monastery in Ubeda.

One of the main seasonal attractions of the town is the annual music and dance festival which is held in May and includes opera, jazz, flamenco, chamber music, symphony orchestra and dance.

Ubeda - Out and about:

Visitors to Ubeda normally come to soak up the rich history of this beautiful Renaissance city, however nature lovers will also enjoy a stay in Ubeda, as just south east of the town lies the nature park of Sierras de Cazorla.

Ubeda - Renaissance history:

Ubeda and Baeza, (two neighbouring cities less than two hours by car from Granada), are considerated to be two of the best examples of Renaissance town planning in Spain, retaining an abundance of fabulous Gothic Renaissance buildings. These cities enjoyed great prosperity during the 16th century, which led to the construction of itrs fabulous Renaissance buildings.

In Ubeda, the aristocracy were held in high regard, striving to become the pinnacle of imperial Spanish administration, behaving as Royal Renaissance patrons and imitating Italian families such as the Medici family from Firenze. They wanted to be surrounded by beauty, filling Ubeda with sumptuous palaces.

Neighbouring Baeza had a powerful town council, that displayed this power with beautiful public works such as the posito (public granary), the alhondiga (corn exchange) and the meat market etc.

The Catholic Church also decided to beautify its more important buildings, such as the Church of St Mary in Ubeda, or the Cathedral of Baeza.

Many of the Renaissance buildings in Ubeda were the work of Andres de Vandelvira. He studied the Italian Renaissance and was commissioned by several patrons in Ubeda and Baeza, who permited him to shown his original and varied designs. The city's architecture evolved to resemble many northern Italian cities.

The main monumental Vazquez de Molina Square in Ubeda is home to two churches, four palaces and other masterpieces of the Spanish Renaissance including the Sacra Capilla del Salvador (Holy Chapel of the Saviour), Palacio del Dean Ortega and Palacio de Vazquez.

Ubeda - Military Architecture:

Ubeda's city walls were very important, due to the strategic situation in the frontier with the Arab Kingdom of Granada. In the chronicles of this age, it was said that Ubeda was the strongest city in all of Andalucia. Nows Ubeda has retained many remains of the walls, (which were built then re-built from the 9thto the 14th century.) Two gates from the 14th century remain: Puerta del Losal,(Losal's Gate) with a horseshoe arc, and the Puerta de Granada (Granada's Gate).

Ubeda also has many towers, such as the Torre del Reloj (Clock's Tower) finished in a Renaissance pavilion, and the octogonal Torre de las Arcas (Safe's Tower), where the collected Town Hall taxes were deposited.

Ubeda - Getting there:

A bus service runs from Granada and Malaga. There is no train link to Ubeda but you can get off the train at the Linares-Baeza station (27km) and then continue by car or taxi. By car, Ubeda is approximately 45 minutes from Jaen, the province capital, and one and half hours from Granada.

Ubeda - Our holiday accommodation and service:

Travel with secretdestinations.com holidays and enjoy privileged, sophisticated holiday destinations in Jaen Province including Ubeda. Privately owned villas, apartments, villas with pools and hotels, in beautiful coastal and rural locations, hand-picked for an authentic taste of unspoiled secret Spain.

So, if you're looking for an activity holiday walking, cycling and trekking in Andalucia's inland mountains; exploring Spain's fascinating white villages, rural towns and historic cities such as Jaen, Ronda or Seville; fancy a spot of sailing, SCUBA diving, wind surfing, swimming, sunbathing or relaxing on great beaches (much of Spain's south coast is also ideal for a spot of winter sun); or you just want to simply escape the tourist masses with a privately owned apartment, cottage or villa with a pool, call our holiday team today. We can also assist you with flights to Spain, ferry travel and holiday car hire.