Vázquez de Molina Square

Vázquez de Molina Square is a compact Renaissance plaza in Úbeda, Jaén province, Andalusia, noted for a concentration of 16th-century monumental buildings and its inclusion in the area’s UNESCO World Heritage designation.

The square is enclosed by several major Renaissance buildings including a richly detailed chapel and multiple palaces. Sightlines across the plaza make it a focal point for architectural photography and guided visits covering local Renaissance art and architecture.

Built and remodelled during the 16th century as Úbeda prospered under Renaissance patronage, the square and its buildings were constructed by prominent local families and architects, and have been preserved as part of the town’s historic core.

Situated in the historic centre of Úbeda in the province of Jaén, the square lies within the town’s compact medieval street grid and is accessible on foot from other central monuments.

• UNESCO status: Part of the UNESCO World Heritage listing for the Renaissance monumental ensembles of Úbeda and Baeza, inscribed in 2003.

What to See #

• Sacra Capilla del Salvador: A Renaissance chapel completed in the early 16th century noted for its architectonic work by Andrés de Vandelvira and its funerary and liturgical decoration.
• Palacio de Vázquez de Molina (Palace of the Chains): A large 16th-century palace facing the square, known for its Renaissance facade and historically the home of the Vázquez de Molina family; it is often called the Palace of the Chains.
• Palacio del Deán Ortega: A Renaissance palace built in the 16th century that now houses cultural uses and faces the square, notable for its carved stonework and courtyard design.