This important and
populated city is situated on the hills of the same name, in the
geographic centre of the province, in a landscape of olive trees
and cereal fields.
Úbeda is undoubtedly an artistic and monumental city, and
one of the most glorious and stately in Andalusia. "Castillian”
and Renaissance through and through, it contains so many monuments,
churches, palaces and noble houses that it is best to take a walk
and let oneself be transported to the time of its historic splendour.
The Chapel of El Salvador, situated in the incomparable Town Hall
Square, the Church of San Pablo, the Church of Santa María
de los Reales Alcázares, the Church of la Trinidad, the Oratory
of San Juan de la Cruz, the Monastery of Santa Clara, the Palace
of the Vela de los Cobos Family, the Palace of las Cadenas, the
House of las Torres, the Hospital of Santiago, the Hospital of los
Honorados Viejos del Salvador, the Clock Tower, the Murallas de
la Cava (city walls), the Pottery Museum and the Parador Nacional
de Turismo, are some of the marvels to be found in this surprising
city.
As well as these delights, we suggest a walk along the walls to
enjoy the splendid views and a visit to its potteries, specially,
the Paco-Titos’ house-museum.
Historical notes
Numerous remains have been found from Roman times.
During the al-Andalus period, it was occupied by the Yamarí
Arab tribe. The village was founded in the 9th century by Abd al-Rahman
II and it was called Ubbadat. It became one of the most important
cities in al-Andalus due to its handicrafts and trade. Its walls
were built in 852. Kings Alfonso VI and Alfonso VII tried to conquer
the village, with different degrees of success. It was conquered
successively in the 11th and 12th centuries by Almoravids and Almohads.
King Fernando III finally reconquered the city in 1234.
The city took part in the siege of Algeciras in 1344 and some years
later, it was set fire to and suffered the killings ordered by Muhamad
V.
The many fights in Baeza led the Catholic Kings to order the walls
and towers of the fortress to be destroyed in 1503.
During the 16th century, the figures of Juan Vázquez Molina
and Francisco de los Cobos made the village participate in the government.
San Juan de la Cruz died in this city.
Ubeda has received the name of City of Andalusian Renaissance due
to the quantity and quality of the monuments belonging to this artistic
period, though it is also quite representative of the Plateresque
style.
Eminent citizens
Manuel Latorre, Andrés Arias and Antonio M. Poveda, bullfighters.
Ramón Quesada, poligraph.
Eliseo Morales, photographer.
Antonio Muñoz Molina, writer.
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