Parador de Ubeda

About Parador de Ubeda

Parador Ubeda Hotel was originally the palace of Dom Fernando Ortego Salido, the Dean of Malaga, who was more usually known a Dean Ortego. The hotel is in a former palace built in the 16th century (altered in the 17th) which belonged to the dean of the Sacred chapel of El Salvador. The palace was altered and renovated in the 17th century and opened as a Parador in 1930. Major restoration has been carried out by the group in 1942 and again in 1947. The Parador is named after Ruy Lopez de Davalos, a soldier who was taken by the Moors and, after a period of captivity was allowed to return home. He was a member of the Court of Juan II who gave him the title of "Condestable" which translates as High Constable. His portrait hangs over the fireplace in the restaurant. The exterior facade gives no indication of the very beautiful inner courtyard with a double gallery of which the upper part is glazed and has the guest bedrooms leading off. This area is reached by a very grand staircase from the reception floor. The friendly and comfortable bedrooms are large with decorated tiles on the floor and antique furniture. Six of the bedrooms and the suite look onto the Plaza de Vasquez of which the palace forms one side. The other buildings in the square are the sixteenth century Church of El Salvador, the 17th century Church of Santa Maria, the Palacio Vazquez de Molina and the Palacio de El Marques. The dining room is furnished in typical Andalusian style and serve both international, Spanish and regional dishes. The local dishes include: "Ajo blanco", a cold soup for garlic lovers; "Pimentos rellenos de perdiz" which are peppers stuffed with partridge; "Cabrito estofado con pinones" being a stew of kid with pine kernels; "Morclilla en caldera" which is a local sausage;Leading off the square is Calle Valencia which is a street where many craftsmen have their studios and where it is possible to purchase their handicrafts.