Easy hikes and walks around La Loma

Hiking boots and good physical fitness

A tavern you must visit if you are a fan of Joaquín Sabina and his music, as is my case.

This building was home for many years to the family of Francisco Vela de los Cobos (16th century), a councilman of Úbeda and Secretary of State to Charles V, who amassed a great fortune and was one of the most powerful men in the country. Since 1873, it has been owned by the Sabater family, and its current owners, Natalio Sabater and his daughter Cristina, continue to live in the palace and are gradually restoring it through guided tours.

The Church of San Pablo was built in the 13th century on the site of a former mosque. This church is one of the oldest in the city and impresses with its blend of styles: a Romanesque portal, known as the Carpenters' Gate, a Renaissance-style side facade, and a late Gothic interior. The church is located in Plaza Primero de Mayo, also known as Paseo del Mercado (Market Square), as for centuries public markets were held here, as well as political events such as city council elections, religious services, and theatrical performances. Around the square, you can see the old Town Hall, the monument to Saint John of the Cross in the center, and at number 20, the house where Joaquín Sabina was born.

The Sacra Capilla de El Salvador is located at the far end of the Plaza Vázquez de Molina. It is the family mausoleum of Francisco de los Cobos, secretary to Emperor Charles V. Its façade and portal, both in the Plateresque style, are particularly noteworthy.

The Church of Santa María de los Reales Alcázares is located opposite the Palacio de las Cadenas, in Plaza Vázquez de Molina. Declared a National Monument and part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, this collegiate church was built on the remains of the Great Mosque after the Reconquista (13th century). It is notable for its superimposition of styles, including Gothic, Mudéjar, Renaissance, Baroque, and Neo-Gothic. Visiting hours: Monday to Saturday, 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM and 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM; Sundays, 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM and 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM.

One of its names comes from the Fountain of the Lions, and the other from the Casa del Pópulo, a Plateresque building that houses the Tourist Office. Also located in this square are the old butcher shop, now a courthouse, the Villalar Arch, and the Jaén Gate.

Declared a National Monument in 1931, the cathedral stands on the site of an ancient Roman temple, later transformed into a Visigothic structure and then into a mosque after the arrival of the Muslims. In 1227, it became the cathedral seat under the Marian patronage of the Nativity. It acquired its Renaissance character in the 16th century, after more than half of the building collapsed in 1567. Andrés de Vandelvira and other important Andalusian architects imbued the cathedral with the classical style then prevalent in religious art. Until the end of the century, the temple was transformed piecemeal. The main portal was designed in 1587 by Juan Bautista Villalpando, featuring a relief of the Nativity of the Virgin, sculpted by the Jesuit Jerónimo del Prado from Baeza. The Puerta de la Luna (Moon Gate) is one of the oldest elements of the cathedral, with its distinctive 13th-century polylobed arch. Above it stands the 14th-century Gothic rose window, one of the few elements that survived the collapse of the cathedral in 1567. Therefore, the reconstruction was entrusted to Andrés de Vandelvira, who contributed his mastery to give the cathedral the Renaissance richness it boasts today. The combination of Mudéjar, Gothic, and Renaissance styles allows one to observe the passage of time through its walls, telling its story through each of its architectural styles. In addition to visiting the interior of the cathedral, it is highly recommended to climb the tower, from where you will be rewarded with spectacular views of the town and its surrounding countryside.