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Úbeda, known by the Romans as Bétula, and by the
Muslims as Ubbadat - Al - Arab, was gained for the Castillian
Crown in 1234. For more than two centuries it took an active part
in the fight against the Muslims, and reached its highest peak
in the Renaissence, when it gave extraordinary men for the goverment
of the nation.
It is therefore natural that, even thogh the city keeps Muslim,
Mudejar, Romanesque and Gothic buildings, the predominant architectural
style is the Renaissence.
THE CHAPEL OF EL SALVADOR
The Chapel of El Salvador has an important Byzantine
tower, whose construction was sponsored by Charles V´s secretary
of State. The design is due to the architect Diego de Siloé
and the execution and ornamentation to Andrés de Vandelvira,
when Diego de Siloé died. The Sothern is the most interesting
of its doors. Other important people who participated in the construction
of this building were: Berruguete (main retable), esteban Janete
(facade and sacristy), and Francisco de Villalpando (bars.)
The Chapel mixes in a harmonious way circles and rectangles, according
to the humenistic style, covered by a vault in its head (funeral
symbol). This building keeps the rests of "De los Cobos"
family.
THE HOSPITAL DE LOS HONRADOS VIEJOS DEL SALVADOR
It was born as a charity institution in the year 1392, although
the present building dates from the last tirad of the XVI c. Its
architect was Andrés de Vandelvira. It has to be pointed
out its simple, well balanced and classical facade and its mannerist
couryard.
THE HIGH CONSTABLE´S PARADOR
It was Dean Ortega´s residence, and was
built in the XVI c., later suffring a reform during the XVII c.
It was inaugurated as Parador de Turismo in 1930 and its beauty
makes it one of the best in the set of Paradores Nacionales. It
follows the rules of the Renaissance style in its facade as well
as in its structure.
PALACE OF LAS CADENAS
Vandelvira´ s art is again present in the
Palace of las cadenas, which was built in 1562. Its facade harmoniously
melts the orders Corinthian, Ionic and of Caryatids.
It was founded by Juan Vázquez de Molina, Francisco de
Los Cobos´ cousin and Charles V´s secretary of State.
It is placed in the Plaza Vázquez de Molina and its structure
is built in a Mediterranean style. Tha actual Town Hall is behind
this monument.
THE CHURCH OF SANTA MARÍA OF THE ROYAL
FORTRESS
Built over an old mosque, after Úbeda was
gained for the Castillian Crown in 1234, the Church of Santa María
of the Royal Fortress owes its main and lateral facades to the
architectural genius of Pedro Vera, Luis de Zayas y Pedro de Cabo.
It boasts a handsome Gothic cloister which fits into what used
to be the patio and the mosque.
THE OLD TOWN HALL
The old Town Hall is a beautiful building of italianizing
style. It has two bodies. The lower of them balances the visual
harmony with three smaller arches.
THE CHURCH OF SAN PABLO
The Church of San Pablo was, like many other churches
during the Reconquest, built over an old mosque and consecrated
to Christian cult. Destroyed in 1368 because of dynastic fights,
it only keeps its occidental door. The rest of the Temple is of
Gothic and plateresque style.
Inside this church there are many funeral private chapels which
keep the rests of important people of the city. This is also the
place where tha archives of the nobility were kept.
THE HOSPITAL DE SANTIAGO
The Hospital de Santiago is also Vandelvira´s
design, and has benne labelled "The Escorial of Andalucía"
because of the Renaissance balance which presides over it. It
was founded as a charity building by D. Diego de Los Cobos (who
was brother of Juan Vázquez de Molina), and its construction
was finished in 1575.
Originally, this Hospital was placed far away from the centre
of the city, because it was built for people who was afected by
the bubonic plague. However, this building had also other functions,
such as chapel, funerary or residence of the bishop.
THE HOUSE OF THE TOWERS
The House of the Towers constitutes, with its
magnificent facade, a superb sample of the Plateresque style.
Built in 1520, it owes its name to the teo fortified towers which
crown it.
Originally it was owned by Dávalos Constable, and it can
be considerated the first palace of the town.
PALACE OF VELA DE LOS COBOS
Another Renaissance jewel is the Palace of Vela
de los Cobos, which was built in the middle of the XVI c.
Actually, it keeps an important collection of works of art.
This building was executed by Jorge Leal, and after by the prestigious
architect Vandelvira.
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