But the boom period that left an inheritance for us today was the 15th & 16th century, when two of the town’s wealthy families spent their fortu
nes on o
ver fifty beautiful honey coloured churches, palaces and mansions.
Get past the ugly outskirts of the town and you’ll find the
most amazing plaza of Renaissance architecture in Spain.
Follow signs to Casco Historico then P publico and park in the underground car park. This plaza is a good spot for refreshment before heading on foot to the old quarter. There’s a train or pony & trap to take you around the best monuments, or wear comfortable shoes!
Where to eat in Úbeda
Úbeda’s best fare is quite rightly served at the Parador with excellent local dishes like green peppers stuffed with partridge, within its tastefully furnished Restaurant.
For atmosphere and marvellous food it has to be the Posada de Úbeda. The fresh local produce cooked within view over Arab-style oven fed with olive and almond wood produces aromatic and succulent dishes.
Local crafts
Moorish influences live on today in the wonderful deep green glazed cut-work ceramics, mostly situated in Calle Valencia, the most famous place to go is the potter Alfareria Tito Paco, head out of the old town through the Puerta del Losal gateway.
The other local crafts is Esparto grass from which items from doormats to sandals are made, for a interesting display visit Artesania Blanco in Calle Real, 47.
And of course Jaén being the olive oil capital of Spain there is an abundance of this “liquid gold” in a variety of containers and sizes on sale.
Ubeda
city wall intact. Due to its location on the river Gualquivir it became a major commercial trade centre.