Church of the Santísima Trinidad

Here stands the Church of the Santísima Trinidad, one of Úbeda’s most unexpected monuments. In a city renowned for its Renaissance heritage, this church offers a rare shift into the Baroque—and it’s precisely this contrast that makes it so distinctive. Set on Plaza Andalucía, in the heart of the modern district, it marks the transition between today’s lively city and the historic centre listed as a World Heritage site. The history of this place has been anything but smooth. Founded in 1250 by Trinitarian monks after the Christian conquest, the original church was destroyed, flooded, rebuilt and ruined several times. What you see today is largely the result of eighteenth-century rebuilding, when the decision was finally made to construct a solid, majestic church in a Baroque style directly inspired by Madrid. As you look at the portals, you’ll notice the volutes, mouldings and geometric spirals typical of the Baroque, gathered around the entrances—one approached by a grand staircase, the other decorated with a representation of the Trinity. The rest of the façades are surprisingly understated. On the side rises the four-level bell tower, rectangular at the base and octagonal above, giving the whole structure its elegant silhouette. Today, the Santísima Trinidad is one of the city’s most appreciated monuments for anyone wanting to explore another side of Úbeda. It may be less famous and less imposing than the Sacra Capilla del Salvador, but it’s essential for understanding the city’s architectural diversity.