Spain is home to a rather large number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, with 37 cultural objects among their number from walled cities to Mudejar palaces. One of the loveliest entries on this list has to be the two Renaissance cities of Úbeda and Baeza. Both are unique examples of such urban designs in Spain, where the imported Italian Renaissance stylistic influences are visible throughout in the city's churches, palaces and other buildings. Beautiful, intricate and fascinating, these two photogenic gems are the perfect, peaceful spots for history buffs and architecture fans to spend a day wandering and taking it all in. Just find a vacation rental in Andalusia and explore these fairytale cities for yourself.
Úbeda and Baeza are located at the heart of the province of Jaén in Andalusia and date to a period in the 16th and 17th centuries, when the cities were subject to renovation influenced by the emerging Italian Renaissance.
Úbeda and Baeza are located at the heart of the province of Jaén in Andalusia and date to a period in the 16th and 17th centuries, when the cities were subject to renovation influenced by the emerging Italian Renaissance.
This vision of Spanish urban planning would go on to have a great influence on the architecture of Latin America, though it did not become common-place in the parlance of the country's own architecture. Nicknamed "queen" and "lady" by the poet Antonio Machado, these two beautiful cities still steal hearts to this day.
Úbeda is surrounded by verdant olive groves and is made up of carved stone facades and whitewashed houses. Churches such as the El Salvador Chapel and the Santa María de los Reales Alcázares Church and the Las Cadenas Palace, reflect the wealth that was in the town and all boast extraordinary sculptural facades.
Another noteworthy building is the Palace of Marqués de Mancera or the Hospital of Santiago, considered the Andalusian El Escorial.
Úbeda is surrounded by verdant olive groves and is made up of carved stone facades and whitewashed houses. Churches such as the El Salvador Chapel and the Santa María de los Reales Alcázares Church and the Las Cadenas Palace, reflect the wealth that was in the town and all boast extraordinary sculptural facades.
Another noteworthy building is the Palace of Marqués de Mancera or the Hospital of Santiago, considered the Andalusian El Escorial.
Baeza, or “the lady”, is richer in religious buildings, rather than the bountiful civic gems that abound in Úbeda. At the centre of it all is the cathedral, a plastic and sculptural beauty that is truly unique and could provide hours of viewing pleasure on its own.
With a well-built tourist infrastructure in the area, beautiful scenery and lovely streets to wander endlessly, these two towns are dreamlike hidden gems in Spain that you may have never heard of before but which offer incredible experiences.
With a well-built tourist infrastructure in the area, beautiful scenery and lovely streets to wander endlessly, these two towns are dreamlike hidden gems in Spain that you may have never heard of before but which offer incredible experiences.
Photo credits
picture 1: Mihael Grmek / CC BY-SA 3.0;
picture 3: G Da / CC BY-SA 3.0
picture 1: Mihael Grmek / CC BY-SA 3.0;
picture 3: G Da / CC BY-SA 3.0
