Plaza Vazquez de Molina, the Capilla de Salvador, Ubeda © Michelle Chaplow
Ubeda and Baeza Unesco World Heritage Sites
The Renaissance Monumental Ensembles of UBEDA and BAEZA
Categories: urban landscape, post-Medieval European (added to list in: 2003)
What UNESCO says: "The urban morphology of the two small cities of Úbeda and Baeza in southern Spain dates back to the Moorish ninth century and to the Reconquista in the 13th century. An important development took place in the 16th century, when the cities were subject to renovation along the lines of the emerging Renaissance. This planning intervention was part of the introduction into Spain of new humanistic ideas from Italy, which went on to have a great influence on the architecture of Latin America."
What there is to see: Ubeda, the larger of the two: Plaza Vazquez de Molina, the Capilla de Salvador, and many magnificent palaces, including the Palacio de las Cadenas. Interesting potters' quarter - look out for traditional deep green glazes; cultural festival in May.
Baeza, nearby but half the size of its neighbour: Plaza Santa Maria, the Santa Iglesia Catedral, the Palacio de Jabalquinto, with its extraordinary facade, the Ayuntamiento and the University.
Andalucia has seven World Heritage Sites
Andalucia has seven World Heritage Sites: the Alhambra, the Generalife and the Albayzín in Granada; the Cathedral, the Alcázar and the Archivo de Indias in Seville; the historic city centre of Córdoba (including the Mezquita); the Renaissance monumental ensembles of Úbeda and Baeza; and 68 items of cave art in the provinces of Almería, Granada and Jaén, which are included in the Rock Art of the Mediterranean Basin, as well as Madinat al-Zahra. The natural World Heritage Sites are the Doñana National Park in the province of Huelva and the Antequera Dolmens in the province of Málaga. The Gorham's Cave Complex is located on the Rock of Gibraltar.