Torreón / Puerta de Úbeda

The Torreón was the tower that defended the Puerta de Úbeda, which now houses this interpretation center. Here we can discover everything related to the complex defensive system of the city of Baeza and its medieval history. The Puerta de Úbeda was undoubtedly the best fortified gate of the entire walled city, leading to the road to Úbeda, and in front of it there was a large parade ground. It had three arches next to the albarrana tower from which the stretches of wall led to the following towers. Currently, only one remains, as the tower and walls were ordered to be destroyed by Queen Isabel in 1476 to end the disputes of the local nobility. In the mid-20th century, part of this tower was integrated into private homes. In the 1980s, it became the property of the City Council, and in the 1990s, restoration work began. The Torreón is built in masonry and is solid up to the height of the wall’s parapet. On one of its fronts is the coat of arms of the Catholic Monarchs framed by a molding. In 1998, a statue of a crossbowman was erected to commemorate the 200 crossbowmen who died in the defense of the city in this same tower. On his chest, he wears the cross of Santiago, and at his feet, a flag with the St. Andrew’s cross bearing a crossbow. The author is Antonio Pérez Almahano.