Discover Baeza: Renaissance and History

Culture and History

The centre of Baeza is an outstanding early example of Renaissance civic architecture and urban planning in Spain. During the Renaissance, Baeza developed into an important ecclesiastical and educational centre. Baeza forms part of the Renaissance monumental complex of Úbeda and Baeza, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site; it was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 2003.

Baeza's Holy Week is an annual tradition dating back to the 15th century and is recognised as a tradition of tourist interest. The official tourist route through the old town begins at the tourist information office on Plaza del Pópulo and passes through the medieval gates of Portal de Carbonería, Portal de la Alhóndiga and Portal de Mercaderes, Plaza de España, the Torre-de-los-Aliatares arch, the cathedral, the former university and the Arco de las Escuelas.

The Palacio de Jabalquinto in the centre of Baeza is an example of late Gothic or Isabelline architecture and was built at the end of the 15th century. Its late Renaissance courtyard has a double round-arched arcade as well as marble columns and Corinthian capitals. Cerro del Alcázar was the original core of the old city of Baeza; finds and materials there attest to settlements from prehistoric, Iberian, Roman and Muslim times.

Cathedral and University

The tower of the Cathedral of the Nativity of Our Lady is more than 50 metres high and offers views of Baeza and the Guadalquivir Valley. The cathedral stands on the remains of a Roman temple, which was later converted into a Visigothic temple and subsequently into a mosque.

The cathedral includes a cathedral museum with religious furnishings and valuable sacred objects, as well as a library with extensive documentary holdings from the 16th and 17th centuries; both areas are accessible. The classroom where Antonio Machado taught in Baeza is now a small museum open to the public, with original furnishings and numerous documents belonging to the poet.

The former University of Baeza was founded in 1538 by a bull of Pope Paul III; Baeza remains a university town today, with the Antonio Machado campus of the Universidad Internacional de Andalucía.

Getting There

Baeza's bus station is less than a quarter of an hour's walk from the town hall and offers connections to Úbeda, Linares, Jaén and other cities in Spain.

Further destinations: Puente Del Obispo, Los Villares, Quesada, La Puerta De Segura, Mancha Real, Puente De Génave

Nature

Laguna Grande offers opportunities for recreation and hiking in a natural environment. Laguna Grande is designated as a natural area, a Site of Community Importance and an asset of cultural interest; the designations date from 1989 or encompass these protection categories.

Various waterbirds occur at Laguna Grande, including teal, mallard, pochard and penduline tit.

Local Traditions

During traditional tapas dining in Baeza, the bars and taverns serve a free tapa, meaning a small sample of the local cuisine, with every drink purchased. Oleotourism in Baeza includes guided olive oil tastings.

For the higher-level travel overview: Jaen.

More About the Destination

Relevant information for planning your trip:

Baeza: Renaissance, UNESCO complex and olive-growing region; Jaén Province: Úbeda, Baeza, nature and travel tips.