A new motorway has just been opened between the city of Jaen and the UNESCO towns of Ubeda and Baeza. The 50km stretch of new road is apty named the Autovia del Olivar (Olive Motorway) as it winds through Spain´s largest olive belt in the heart of Jaen province. Reducing the journey time to Ubeda from Jaen by around 40%, this new motorway helps open up two of Andalucia´s finest (yet least known) historic towns to visitors – making it now possible to combine them with the region´s “golden triangle” of Seville, Cordoba & Granada. 

 

 

The newly-opened stretch of the A-316 now takes only half an hour between Jaen and Ubeda, thus dramatically cutting the journey time from other destinations too. And this will be reduced further when the next section of the A316 is completed – the 19km from Martos to the N-432, at the half-way point between Cordoba and Granada. The Autovia del Olivar is part of the much bigger “Eje Diagonal Intermedio” project, to build a 170km motorway from Ubeda all the way to Estepa on the A92, providing a major artery across the interior of Andalucia. At the moment, 76km is now open from Ubeda to Martos, with other sections in the planning stage. 

 

  

 

 

Photo: Capilla de Salvador on Plaza de Vazquez de Molina in Ubeda. 

 

 

Both towns were designated UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 2003 because "The central areas of Úbeda and Baeza constitute outstanding early examples of Renaissance civic architecture and urban planning in Spain in the early 16th century. The architectural and urban design in Úbeda and Baeza were instrumental in introducing the Renaissance ideas to Spain. Through the publications of Andréa Vandelvira, the principal project architect, these examples were also diffused to Latin America”, UNESCO.

 

 

Thanks to its newly-improved access Ubeda, often called the “Florence of Andalucia”, should now be everyone´s bucket list for places to see in southern Spain. Wander the trio of central squares, surrounded on all sides by magnificent Renaissance palaces and churches and discover its highlights… 

 

Photo: the parador hotel and Capilla de Salvador, Ubeda. 

 

One of Andalucia´s most beautiful squares with the Palacio de Cadenas, built for the city´s “patron” Vazquez de Molina; the Parador hotel; Capilla del Salvador and Santa Maria de los Reales Alcazares church.

 

Another beautiful square housing the Town Hall, Tourist Office, Tito´s ceramic shop, several terrace cafes and the Palacio de Vela de Cobos mansion built in the 1550´s.

 

 

A delightful, open square with San Pablo church (13th century apse & 16th century chapel) and a great little tapas bar, Taberna Misa de 12.  

 

 

Sinagoga del Agua (Water Synagogue)

An amazing, recent archaeological discovery, highly recommended. Here´s what the Lonely Planet guide says: “The medieval Sinagoga del Agua was discovered in 2006 by a refreshingly ethical property developer who intended to build apartments here, only to discover that every swing of the pickaxe revealed some tantalising piece of an archaeological puzzle. The result is this sensitive re-creation of a centuries-old synagogue and rabbi’s house, using original masonry whenever possible. Features include the women’s gallery, a bodega with giant storage vessels, and a mikveh ritual bath”.

 

           

 

After 4 years of painstaking restoration, the end result gives us a fascinating insight into the Jewish culture of medieval Spain. If you´re visiting in June, don´t miss the summer solstice (approx. 18-28 June) – when the first rays of sun stream through a doorway to light up the mikveh below (advanced booking essential).

 

 

Completed in 1562 by Andres de Valdivia - for centuries a hospital, now a conference centre. 

 

 

A small collection but worth visiting for its setting, a beautifully-restored Mudejar palace. 

 

 

Ubeda´s attractive main street for tourist shops and bars – our favourite places to eat are Antique and La Imprenta.   

 

 

Follow signs for Barrio Alfarero (potters´quarter) and head to Calle Valencia for pottery workshops, including the famous Titos.

 

 

Baeza is half the size of its neighbour but is also stacked full of beautiful Renaissance buildings. Well worth visiting, for highlights including: 

 

A very impressive building designed by Andres de Valdivia in 1567 and much restored since, but still retaining its 16th century façade. 

 

Photo: Baeza cathedral.

Plaza de Populo

Baeza´s most beautiful square, with the Fuente de los Leones (Lions Fountain) and Ibero-Roman statue in the middle, overlooked by the Casa del Populo palace (now the Tourist Office).

 

 

 

Splendid Gothic palace with ornate facade and elaborate buttresses.

 

Photo: Palacio del Jabalquinto, Baeza. 

 

One of Spain´s first universities, dating back to 1542, a stunning Renaissance and Baroque building, now part of the University of Granada. 

 

The main square of Baeza, surrounded on all sides by lovely porticoed buildings eg the old corn exchange (La Alhondiga) and 16th-century slaughterhouse (Antigua Carniceria). 

 

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CASA OLEA is an award-winning small rural hotel, located close to Priego de Cordoba in the Sierras Subbeticas mountains. Situated in the heart of Andalucia, around an hour´s drive from Ubeda, Baeza, Granada and Cordoba, and ideally placed for day trips to them all; as well as hiking and biking in the surrounding hills and olive groves. 

 

Voted in the Top25 B&Bs/Inns in Spain from 2011-2016, 

Tripadvisor Travellers Choice Awards.