Whoever wishes to see Renaissance architecture and town planning in Andalusia must go to the province of Jaen. The splendour displayed by the new style is due to the conjunction of two things: the vigour and patronage of a handful of local noble families - Cobos, Molina... - and the presence of an architect as good as Andrés de Vandelvira. The acme is reached in Baeza and Úbeda, birthplace of Francisco de los Cobos, secretary to the emperor Charles V.
At Úbeda, around the Plaza del Salvador, there is a series of fundamental works by Vandelvira, such as Palacio de Velázquez (Town Hall), Palacio del Marqués de Mancera, the granary remodelled in the 18th century, Palacio del Condestable Dávalos (the Parador) and church of El Salvador, based on a project by Diego de Siloé as a funerary chapel for Francisco de los Cobos. Also very much worth visiting are the Palacio del conde de Guadiana, Casa de las Torres - with one of the best courtyards of Andalusian Renaissance, Palacio Vela de los Cobos and the hospital of Santiago.
The most outstanding buildings in Baeza are the Town Hall and the cluster formed by the Palacio de Jabalquinto and Seminary of San Felipe Neri, the Cathedral, the buildings around the Plaza del Pópulo and the convent of San Francisco.
Canena boasts a magnificent Renaissance castle designed by Andrés de Vandelvira. The castle, built in the 16th century, is one of the best examples of Renaissance military architecture in Andalusia.
Sabiote has an important collection of Renaissance buildings, including the Sabiote Castle, which is considered one of the main fortresses constructed in the 16th century in Jaén. The town also features many noble houses and buildings with Renaissance facades and plateresque details.
Villacarrillo is home to the church of La Asunción, constructed by Andrés de Vandelvira. This church is a prime example of Renaissance architecture in the region.
Cazorla features the ruins of its parish church and the Las Cadenas fountain, both significant examples of Renaissance architecture.
In Huelma, we have the parish church by Vandelvira. The town also features the Castle of the Viscounts of Huelma, built in the 16th century in Spanish Renaissance style.
At Jaen, the traveller will find a Renaissance Cathedral, where Vandelvira was responsible for the Chaper House and Vastry. Other examples of the Renaissance are the Palacio de los Cobeleda Nicuesa and the façades of the Provincial Museum - old granary and church of San Miguel, and the church of San Idelfonso.
Martos has very fine examples of Renaissance architecture, including the Town Hall, church of Santa María, fuente el Pilar, and the jail.
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