Plaza Vázquez de Molina is the monumental heart of Úbeda and one of the finest Renaissance ensembles in Spain, so remarkable that it became a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2003. Its trapezoidal shape comes from the gradual merging of several medieval spaces, later completely redesigned in the sixteenth century to become a statement of the Renaissance. Until the nineteenth century it was known as the Llano or Paseo de Santa María, a reminder that it stood directly in front of the city’s main church. Between 1530 and 1580, Úbeda enjoyed a golden age thanks to several local figures who held influential positions at the imperial court. Steeped in humanist ideas and inspired by the Italian models they encountered during their travels and diplomatic missions, they wanted to bring home the architectural language associated with prestige and modernity. With their considerable wealth, they hired leading architects—most notably Andrés de Vandelvira, who adapted the classical proportions and clean lines of the Renaissance to Andalusia. Úbeda thus became one of the first places in Spain where the Italian Renaissance style truly took root. In just a few decades, this creative surge transformed the old Llano de Santa María into a square completely reimagined according to new urban ideals, giving rise to the harmonious Renaissance setting you see today. The work of Andrés de Vandelvira and his son Alonso was decisive, and their influence spread far beyond the region, even reaching Latin America and helping shape much of its colonial architecture. This is why, on your right, you’ll see a statue of Andrés, a tribute to the architect who designed much of what surrounds you. As you look around the square, three of his major works immediately stand out: the Chapel of El Salvador on your right, the Deán Ortega Palace beside it, and directly ahead, the Vázquez de Molina Palace. As you continue your visit, you’ll learn more about each monument, from their design to their history.