Vázquez de Molina Square facts for kids
Vázquez de Molina Square is a beautiful and historic place in Úbeda, a town in the Jaén province of Andalusia, Spain. It's famous for its amazing Renaissance architecture, which is a style of building from a long time ago. This square is considered one of the best examples of Renaissance design in all of Spain! Because of its incredible buildings, UNESCO decided to make Úbeda a World Heritage site in July 2003. This means it's a very special place that needs to be protected for everyone to enjoy.
Contents
Discover Vázquez de Molina Square!
Vázquez de Molina Square is home to several important and stunning buildings. Each one tells a part of history through its unique design. Let's explore some of them!
Deán Ortega Palace
The Deán Ortega Palace (also known as Palacio del Deán Ortega) is a grand Renaissance palace. A famous Spanish architect named Andrés de Vandelvira designed it in the 1500s. Today, this historic building is a Parador hotel. Paradors are special hotels often found in old castles or palaces, and this one is among the oldest in Spain!
Vázquez de Molina Palace
Another amazing building designed by Vandelvira is the Vázquez de Molina Palace (or Palacio de Vázquez de Molina). People also call it the Palace of the Chains (Palacio de las Cadenas). This is because it once had decorative chains hanging from its front! Juan Vázquez de Molina, who was a very important secretary to King Philip II, ordered it to be built. Today, this palace is where the local government of Úbeda works.
Basílica de Santa María de los Reales Alcázares
The Basílica de Santa María de los Reales Alcázares is a very old church. It was built on the remains of an old mosque from the time when Moors lived in Úbeda. This church shows off different building styles, including Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque. Sadly, it was badly damaged during the Spanish Civil War. It has been closed for repairs since 1983 to bring it back to its original beauty.
Holy Chapel of the Savior
The Holy Chapel of the Savior (Sacra Capilla del Salvador) is a very special chapel. Francisco de los Cobos, who was a secretary to King Charles V, had it built as his own burial place. The architect Diego de Siloé designed it, and Vandelvira helped with its construction. This chapel is one of the most famous buildings in Úbeda. Its front, carved from stone by an artist named Esteban Jamate, is considered one of the most beautiful in Andalusia.
See also
In Spanish: Plaza Vázquez de Molina para niños
