Tourist Attractions in Baeza, Spain

Baeza, Spain.

Baeza lies perched on a cliff in the Loma de Úbeda, the range separating the Guadalquivir River to its south from the Guadalimar to its north. It is now principally famed for having some of the best-preserved examples of Italian Renaissance architecture in Spain. Along with Úbeda, it was added to UNESCO's list of World Heritage Sites in 2003. The former Visigothic bishopric of Baeza remains a Latin Catholic titular see.

• The former Baeza Cathedral is built over a former mosque. It was first used in Christian service in the 12th century during Castile's first period of rule. It was then used as a mosque before its reconquest in the 13th century. The most ancient parts are the cubic base of the bell tower and three (presently hidden) Islamic arches. Most of the present Renaissance-influenced Gothic structure—including the nave with two aisles, pilasters, and crossed vaults—dates to around 1529. The tower was redone in 1549 and the Chapel of St Michael was added in 1560. Construction was completed under Andrés de Vandelvira.

Baeza Cathedral.

• Town Hall (Ayuntamiento), a Plateresque building originally built as a combined courthouse and prison, leading to two separate main entrances.

Town Hall.

• Baeza University, established in 1533 or 1538, now a secondary school.

Baeza University.

• Santa Cruz Church, a Romanesque church with a two-aisle nave and semicircular apse. A side wall incorporates a Visigothic arch.

Santa Cruz Church.

• St Paul's Church, a Gothic church with a Renaissance portal with a two-aisle nave and Gothic chapels. Includes the tomb of Pablo de Olavide.

• The Chapel of St Francis, in the ruins of a Renaissance building from 1538 formerly used as a monastery.

• Jabalquinto Palace (Palacio de Jabalquinto), including an Gothic entrance flanked by two cylindrical pilasters with Plateresque capitals with mocárabes, a Renaissance courtyard, and a Baroque staircase.

Jabalquinto Palace.