La Colegiata de Santa María de los Reales Alcázares

When in the centre of Úbeda, crossing the Plaza Vázquez de Molina towards the Palacio de Juan Vázquez de Molina (16^th Century, Renaissance), presently used as the Town Hall, you’ll also encounter the Colegiata de Santa María de los Reales Alcázares. As the building developed over six centuries (13^th- 19^th Century), so a whole host of styles are involved – from Gothic to Baroque, via Mudéjar and Renaissance.

La Colegiata de Santa maría de los Reales Alcázares

Sacra Capilla Funeraria de el Salvador in Ubeda

Next door to the Parador in Ubeda is the Sacra Capilla Funeraria de el Salvador (16^th Century). Bit of a mouthful, that one! It’s a privately-owned Renaissance funeral shire, the most impressive example of its kind in Spain and perhaps the most emblematic building in Úbeda.

Sacra Capilla Funeraria de el Salvador in Ubeda

The Parador in Ubeda

A couple of hundred yards away is the Plaza Vázquez de Molina, even bigger than the Plaza 1º de Mayo, and perhaps the most famous and photographed part of Úbeda. Wherever you look there are stunning buildings, such as the Palacio del Dean Ortega (16^th Century, Renaissance), which houses the Parador, a wonderful place to stay if your budget reaches that far. If not, you can still just wander in to have a coffee in its central patio area, typical of Renaissance architecture in this part of Spain.

The Parador in Úbeda

San Pablo church in Úbeda

The Plaza 1º de Mayo is a large square, bigger than most in Úbeda’s old town, and the stand-out features here include the Iglesia de San Pablo (13^th-16^th Century, Gothic and Renaissance), the Old Town Hall (17^th Century, Renaissance) and the Palacio de Torrente (16^th Century, Plateresque), just round the corner in Calle Montiel, which is now used as an old people’s home. 

Here's a photo of San Pablo Church in Úbeda:

San Pablo church in Úbeda

El Parque Natural Sierras de Cazorla, Segura y Las Villas

Out in the nearby countryside Úbeda and Baeza also offer the chance to visit an area of outstanding natural beauty – El Parque Natural Sierras de Cazorla, Segura y Las Villas. Great views, decent walking, exceptional Mediterranean flora and fauna all abound amidst picture-book towns and villages such as Cazorla, Hornos and Segura de la Sierra.

Where are Ubeda and Baeza?

East of Córdoba, north of Granada and west of Almería, Úbeda and Baeza have jointly been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. This is mainly thanks to the incredible depth and range of Renaissance architecture and monuments in their old towns. Úbeda is the bigger of the two, with its sights more spread out, while Baeza boasts a highly compact old town that scarcely seems to have been touched by modern hand. 

Ubeda Baeza Spain

Welcome to Ubeda Baeza Spain. This blog will provide a personal view of Ubeda, Baeza and the surrounding area, based on the experience of a Brit who's been visiting the area for over fifteen years.

For the moment, here's a picture of Ubeda's beautiful town hall to whet your appetite: