Úbeda

Nature

It is the main center of the region called La Loma. Ubeda is located on a hill at 750 m of altitude, and is surrounded by the valleys of the Guadalquivir and the Guadalimar.

Very close, around it, are the Natural Parks of Despeñacolos, Sierra Magina and Sierras de Cazorla, Segura and Las Villas.

The landscape is very characteristic because it is composed of a "sea of olive trees," as the poet Antonio Machado wrote.

Parties and Events

The city of Ubeda presents a mosaic of cultural activities, festivals, fairs, romanias... Events all very deeply rooted in the population and with a very consolidated organization, which makes visitors from all parts of Spain participate.

It is worth the celebration of the Holy Week, one of the most popular parties in Andalusia, being declared a National Tourist Interest Party.

On May 1, the Romeria de la Virgen de Guadalupe, patron of Ubeda and known as the "Great Romery." That day the Virgin moved from her sanctuary to the village of Santa Eulalia.

Typical are also the San Antón fires"the lumbres." On January 16, fires are made in the different neighborhoods, where sardines are roasted or the cobbled.

Special emphasis party of San Isidro Labradoron 15 May, farmers' employers and who enjoy much devotion among the olive workers.

Together with the neighbouring city of Baeza, the Festival of Ancient Music. And in the last months of the year, the puppet and tale festivals take place.

And we cannot stop quoting the San Miguel Fairon September 29, the city's patron party. And during the days of this fair the Autumn Theatre Show takes place, as well as high-quality musical activities and children's activities for all ages.

Other relevant events highlight theFlamenco and Mestizo Festival "City of Ubeda" or Exhibition of Autumn Theatre of Ubeda.

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Gastronomy

The ubetense cuisine is basically Mediterranean, with influences both manchegas, alumina and Andalusian root.

The table includes legumes, game meat and products derived from the "slaughter of the pig," and, of course, virgin olive oil and table olives. Among the most outstanding dishes would be:

• The crumbs (reminiscent of the shepherds in transhumanism).
• The ointment, an olive oil cake.
• The slick.
• Potage of beans with eggplants.

The bars and canteens are the traditional meeting point of the ubetens. If you visit the city in September you can attend the Fiesta de la Tapa.

We cannot forget the "Gourmet days of the Renaissance". They take place from January to March in the most emblematic restaurants, where both lunch time and dinner are accompanied by shows.

History

The latest archaeological research shows that the first settlements of Ubeda date back to the Copper and Bronze Age (III and II millennium A.C), being the "oldest city in Europe" scientifically documented.

In search of product exchanges the Greeks will arrive and later the Carthaginians, who would be defeated by the Romans. It is under the Roman Empire, from the battle of Llipa in 206 BC, when the old city is romanized and will be known as the Betula.

The city takes on importance with the arrival of the Arabs, in particular with Abdeleran II, in the S. IX, who overlooks it with the name of Ubbada or Ubbadat Al-Arab (Ubeda "of the Arabs"). As a Muslim city it was surrounded by walls and became one of the most important cities of Al- Andalus, due mainly to its crafts and trade.

In the S. XI it will be conquered by the alparavids. And the definitive Christian conquest was carried out in 1234 by King Fernando III.

A number of factors, such as the geographical location, its extensive and rich jurisdiction, as well as the presence of an increasingly powerful nobility, would lay the foundation for the splendor that Ubeda reached in the 16th century.

The economic development of the city based on agriculture and on the feral livestock, the rotations of the forests that represented an increase in the land of cultivation, and having a mesta of its own, will base the greatest splendor of the city, which was a demographic increase to reach 18,000 inhabitants.

In addition to the ubetense nobility and the Orders of Cavalry, we found a group of neighbors who have prospered (doctors, tailor, scribes, bots...) that will lead to an incipient bourgeoisie.

To highlight the role of Francisco de los Cobos, secretary of Charles I, who, with his interest in art and under the advice of the architect Andrés de Vandelvira, fills the city with palaces. In Ubeda, take root the humanist currents of the Renaissance. It will be Juan Vázquez de Molina, Secretary of Charles I and Philip II, who will continue with the planning initiated by his predecessor.

Declive:
The 17th and 18th centuries are of decline for the city, as Spain is in a general crisis. The bad crops, the unfair pressure of taxation to cover the cost of wars, corruption, the power of the clergy, the expulsion of the Moorish, will be factors that contribute to the loss of that splendor that characterized this city.

Later, in 1820 and 1836, ecclesiastical disamortizations, Carlist wars, Civil War and post-war will come.

Recovery:
It will be in the 1960s and 70s of the last century, thanks to the development pull, when slowly it was the "Florence of Alta Andalucía" go to the present place and become a provincial reference point, head of the region of La Loma and a centre of industry and services of increasing importance.

Literature

These reasons are further enriched by the fact that San Juan de la Cruz died here, having been brought to the city to recover from a slight fever, and by the fact that it is the birthplace of Antonio Muñoz Molina, winner of the Premio Planeta and the Princess of Asturias Award for Literature.

You must come to Úbeda and venture into its streets and monuments, discovering them through the eyes of these authors. Without doubt, a different way to enjoy this monumental city.

• Sculpture to the Fallen
• San Lorenzo neighborhood
• Residence of Antonio Muñoz Molina
• Casa de Las Torres
• Orozco Palace
• Torre del Reloj
• Statue of General Orduña
• San Juan de la Cruz Museum
• Monument to San Juan de la Cruz
• Ariza Bridge
• Sacred Capilla de El Salvador del Mundo
• San Juan de la Cruz Street
• Méndez House
• Old Town Hall Houses
• San Isidoro Parish Church
• Food Market
• Viewpoints of the Wall
• House of the surgeon Ambrosio de Villarreal
• Santa María de los Reales Alcázares Collegiate Church
• Convent of the Inmaculada Concepción Carmelitas descalzas

Other information

Known people born in Ubeda:

• Antonio Muñoz Molina, writer and member of the Royal Academy of Language.
• Joaquín Sabina, singer.

In Ubeda dies San Juan de la Cruzon 14 December 1591.

The popular saying of leaving or "walking on the hills of Ubeda," has its origin in the conquest of the Almohades of the Jienese city of Ubeda in 1234. It seems that one of the most important captains of King Fernando III "the Holy," disappeared moments before entering into combat, and that he appeared after the city was conquered. Asked where he had been, he replied that he had been lost by the hills of Ubeda.