«Renaissance of the South» Route: Sabiote, Úbeda and Baeza

You may not know it, but Jaén is the province of Spain with the most Renaissance works. The reason is that the area was reconquered in the 13th century and the urban changes to adapt the cities to Christian customs occurred in the middle of the Renaissance. For the same reason, many of its buildings have Muslim influence, and that makes them especially interesting.

And what better way to get to know this wonderful heritage than with a route through the cities of Úbeda and Baeza (World Heritage since 2013) and the Medieval and Renaissance Villa of Sabiote? That's what the Southern Renaissance Route, which focuses on the work of architect Andrés de Vandelvira and is aimed at those over 65 years of age residing in towns with less than 20,000 inhabitants of the Jaén Provincial Council

Sabiote

The Southern Renaissance route begins in Sabiote, a town with a 16th century castle that can be visited. A perfect start to this tour for art history lovers.

A visit that complements the Southern Renaissance triangle in which, in addition to taking a guided tour of the Castle, the visitor will be able to see the majesty of the municipality as they pass.

On our guided tour, we will learn every detail of the historical-artistic heritage of Sabiote, walking through its picturesque streets. We will visit its majestic Castle, declared a Historical Monument in 1931, as well as other emblematic corners, such as the Church of San Pedro, the Plaza Alonso de Vandelvira, the Old Convent of the Carmelites, or the Puerta del Chiringote.

In general, the entire villa is in an excellent state of conservation, so it easily transports us to another era. Its well-kept houses and well-preserved streets, being the only Albaicín, along with Granada, cataloged by the Junta de Andalucía. Modest emblazoned constructions, with a well-preserved wall canvas, barranco towers and monumental gates such as the Chiringote that lead to the imposing Calatrava castle renovated in the 16th century by the architect Andrés de Vandelvira by order of the Secretary of State Francisco de los Cobos. Among the religious buildings, the Church of San Pedro and the Church of Santa María stand out with the old convent of the Discalced Carmelites.

Ubeda

Úbeda was a very important city on a military level during the Middle Ages, and later it became an aristocratic and wealthy city.
Its most interesting Renaissance buildings are in the Plaza del Salvador, where you can see the funerary temple of El Salvador and the remains of several palaces reminiscent of Roman houses. One of them belonged to the clergyman Hernando Ortega and today is a National Tourism Parador.

Úbeda, “Spanish Italy”, is the cradle of illustrious families who came to enhance the Andalusian Renaissance, and where we will admire the Renaissance energy of its palaces.

The Plaza Vázquez de Molina without a doubt is going to be the center of the splendor of the Renaissance city of Ubeta, the harmony of its layout is surprising, reminiscent of the great Italian Renaissance cities. Architectural display by the great architect Andrés de Vandelvira who will concentrate in this square the most important buildings linked to the Cobos family. In it we will visit in a panoramic way the different palatial typologies created by Vandelvira to enhance the lineage of the Cobos: Vázquez de Molina Palace ordered to be built by Juan Vázquez de Molina Secretary of Felipe II, Vela de los Cobos Palace, Deán Ortega Palace (current Parador National Tourism). Additionally, in this square it is worth highlighting other civil buildings such as Cárcel del Obispo, Palacio de los Mancera or Antiguo Pósito.

Not only will our visit focus on the civil palatial architecture, we will also enjoy the two most spectacular examples of religious architecture of Ubetense: the main temple or Collegiate Church of Santa María de los Reales Alcázares and the Sacred Chapel of the Savior of the World, family pantheon of the Cobos family (entrance to both buildings included), Plaza 1º de Mayo: Town Hall, Monument to San Juan de la Cruz and Church of San Pablo. We will end the visit with the entrance to the Water Synagogue.

Baeza

Baeza was already an important city before the Muslim era, but it is more important due to its later extension at the hands of Vandelvira.

In the city it is essential to visit the Church of Santa Cruz and the old College of Santiago, of the Company of Jesus, around which the University and the Seminar and the aforementioned College are crowded. We will not miss the Jabalquinto Palace and the Cathedral, in the Plaza de Santa María either.

The tourist train will pick us up at the tourist stop to take a panoramic view of the city of Baeza outside the walls to conclude in the majestic Plaza de Santa María. We enter one of the most beautiful cities in Spain. With a historic center of Arab layout, it is one of the jewels of the Andalusian Renaissance.

Route: Plaza de Santa. María, monumental center of the city within the walls where the visitor will be fascinated by the beauty of its most notable buildings: Fountain of Santa María, Seminary of San Felipe Neri, Casas Consistoriales Altas and Cathedral of San Isidoro and Nuestra Señora de la Natividad (entrance included ).

Then we will skirt the back of the Cathedral with the Puerta de la Luna, alleys with a medieval layout, the scene of filming of historical cinema films and the Puerta del Perdón, and we will arrive at the “Torreón Puerta de Úbeda”. We will descend towards the secluded Plaza de la Santa Cruz where we will visit two buildings of singular beauty: Jabalquinto Palace and the late-Romanesque Church of Santa Cruz. Linking next with the Old University of Baeza, where we will visit its magnificent interior patio, Paraninfo and the Classroom of the poet Antonio Machado. To conclude our visit in the Old Market Square with the Paseo, Balcón del Concejo and Alhóndiga.

DETAILED ITINERARY STEP BY STEP

Day 1: City of origin – Sabiote

11:00-11:30 a.m.: Arrival at the hotel and meeting with our accompanying guide for the explanation of the “SENIOR TOURISM – KNOW YOUR PROVINCE” program, through which we will obtain an introduction and better perspective of the area we are going to visit during this trip.

12:30 p.m.: Room distribution

1:30 p.m.: Lunch.

4:00 p.m.: Visit to Sabiote. Modest emblazoned constructions, with a well-preserved wall, spier towers and monumental gates such as the Chiringote that lead to the imposing Calatravo castle. Among the religious buildings, the Church of San Pedro and the Church of Santa María stand out with the old convent of the Discalced Carmelites. Next Free Time in the city.

7:00 p.m.: Transfer to the hotel. Toilet and brief rest.

8:00 p.m.: Dinner. After it, socio-cultural animation. Accommodation.

Day 2. Úbeda – Baeza.

9:00 a.m.: Breakfast

10:00 a.m.: Visit to Úbeda. Exemplary city of the Spanish Renaissance, cradle of noble families such as that of D. Francisco de los Cobos, Secretary of Emperor Charles V and great patron in his hometown.

Route: Plaza Vázquez de Molina. Architectural display by the great architect Andrés de Vandelvira who will concentrate in this square the most important buildings linked to the Cobos family. In it we will visit in a panoramic way the different palatial typologies created by Vandelvira to enhance the lineage of the Cobos: Vázquez de Molina Palace ordered to be built by Juan Vázquez de Molina Secretary of Felipe II, Vela de los Cobos Palace, Deán Ortega Palace (current Parador National Tourism). Additionally, in this square it is worth highlighting other civil buildings such as Cárcel del Obispo, Palacio de los Mancera or Antiguo Pósito. Not only will our visit focus on the civil palatial architecture, we will also enjoy the two most spectacular examples of religious architecture of Ubetense: the main temple or Collegiate Church of Santa María de los Reales Alcázares and the Sacred Chapel of the Savior of the World, family pantheon of the Cobos family (entrance to both buildings included), Plaza 1º de Mayo: Town Hall, Monument to San Juan de la Cruz and Church of San Pablo. We will end the visit with the entrance to the Water Synagogue. Then free time in the city of Úbeda.

1:30 p.m.: Lunch.

4:00 p.m.: Visit to Baeza. The Tourist train will pick us up at the tourist stop to take a panoramic view of the city of Baeza outside the walls to conclude in the majestic Plaza de Santa María. We enter one of the most beautiful cities in Spain. With a historic center of Arab layout, it is one of the jewels of the Andalusian Renaissance.

Route: Plaza de Santa. María, monumental center of the city within the walls where the visitor will be fascinated by the beauty of its most notable buildings: Fuente de Santa. Mary, Seminary of San Felipe Neri, Upper Town Halls and Cathedral of San Isidoro and Our Lady of the Nativity (entrance included). We will border the back of the Cathedral with the Puerta de la Luna, alleys with a medieval layout, the scene of the filming of historical cinema films, and the Puerta del Perdón. We will arrive at the CI of the Medieval Baeza “Torreón Puerta de Úbeda”. We will descend towards the secluded Plaza de la Santa Cruz where we will visit two buildings of singular beauty: Jabalquinto Palace and the late-Romanesque Church of Santa Cruz, Linking with the Old University of Baeza, where we will visit its magnificent interior patio, Paraninfo and the Classroom of the poet Antonio Machado. To conclude our visit in the Old Market Square with the Paseo, Balcón del Concejo and Alhóndiga.

7:00 p.m.: Transfer to the hotel. Toilet and brief rest.

8:00 p.m.: Dinner. After it, socio-cultural animation. Accommodation

Day 3. Úbeda – City of origin.

9:00 a.m.: Breakfast

10:30 a.m.: Visit to Olive Culture Museum: Hacienda La Laguna. The Olive Culture Museum is located 8 km from the World Heritage city of Baeza, in the heart of the Hacienda de la Laguna, in the area called Laguna Grande. Without a doubt, it is one of the best ethnographic Museums on the Olive Tree Culture in the province of Jaén. Through information and audiovisual panels the visitor will be able to discover the evolution of this ancient crop and the extraction of the oil. In the Museum, interesting pieces from the 19th century are exhibited, through a museographic itinerary the evolution of cultivation is analyzed: garden of varieties, pressing methods, oil extraction or storage. Significant constructions such as the winery popularly known by the nickname “The Cathedral of Oil” declared an Asset of Cultural Interest. We return to the hotel for lunch.

1:30 p.m.: Lunch.

After lunch, we head towards our place of origin. Arrival (see schedules and delivery points in description).

So now you know, we'll see you on the 24th on the Nattule bus to tour the main destinations of the Southern Renaissance. We'll see you inside!

And if you are already inside, here we leave you the assistance telephone numbers and your guides:

Mobile assistance: 627628080

Guide that will accompany you: Sonia Romero (+34 665 503 744)

Driver: Rafael González

Telephone support:
Telephones during business hours (9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.)
627628080 | 953496027
24 hour telephone numbers:
629361601 | 636679081

Anti-Covid Measures during the trip: click here

Information upon arrival at the hotel: click here