Úbeda Tour Part Three

So, on to the third and final part of our tour round Úbeda. At the risk of sounding repetitive, I must underline that the problem with this town is there's so much to see. I'd obviously been round it many times, but not all in one hit, as I did when taking the photos for this guide. At least I now know how you'll feel after a day trip, but I promise this last section will be worth it!

We're starting once more at the Plaza del Ayuntamiento, but this time heading up along the partly pedestrianised Calle Real. This used to be Úbeda's commercial nerve centre, back when life here revolved around the old town. As the new town up the hill grew, so many grocers, butchers and bakers moved out to be replaced by gift shops, etc. However, don't let this description put you off, as the street certainly still has plenty of charm.

First of all, you'll come across the Palacio Vela de los Cobos (16th Century) on your left, followed by the quaint old town theatre/cinema on your right. Next is the Palacio de los Condes de Guadiana (17th Century, Renaissance), with a beautiful tower. A couple of hundred yards up the street you'll reach the Plaza de Andalucía, to all intents and purposes the town square.

Two significant buildings in the square are the Torre del Reloj, a clock tower which presides over the square, and the Iglesia y Convento de la Santísima Trinidad (17th-18th Century, Baroque), perhaps the most impressive example of the Baroque style to be found anywhere in Úbeda.

From the Plaza de Andalucía, I suggest you take the Calle Mesones, which then becomes Calle Nueva, the town's new main shopping street. Off here on the left (down Calle Cronista Cazabán) you'll find the Iglesia de San Isidoro (16th-17th Century, Gothic and Renaissance), while back on Calle Nueva, a stroll of about two hundred yards will bring you to one of Úbeda's most impressive buildings-the Hospital de Santiago.(16th Century, Renaissance).This building has been declared a National Monument, and is recognised as being one of the most outstanding pieces of Renaissance architecture to be found anywhere in Spain. It's now open to the public and part of it has been restored for use as an art gallery and to house classical concerts, thus playing an integral role in the contemporary life of the town.

The Hospital de Santiago is a great way for us to round off our tour of Úbeda. It only leaves me to highlight once more the incomplete and subjective nature of this guide. There are many other important buildings to see in the town if you have time to wander, but these articles have tried to point the day-tripper or weekend visitor in the direction of what I don't think should be missed.