Spain - Úbeda, Capilla del Salvador

Úbeda became more and more important during Moorish rule. The town was by Abd ar-Rahman II (822–852), who called it Medinat-Ubbadat Al-Arab (which means Úbeda of the Moors). The town was captured from the Moors in 1233 by King Fernado III.
Úbeda (and neighboring city of Baeza) benefited from extensive patronage in the early 16th century, resulting in the construction of a series of Renaissance style palaces and churches. In 2003, UNESCO declared the historic cores and monuments a World Heritage Site.

Although the ‘Sacra Capilla del Salvador del Mundo’ (Sacred Chapel of the Saviour)looks like a church, the building is a funerary monument and was created to be used as mausoleum of local nobility (nowadays there are religious services). Both interior and exterior are richly decorated; the main façade (picture) with relief work and statues. The building is considered to be one of the finest examples of Andalucian architecture from te Renaisance period.

Construction of the chapel started in 1536 by the architect Diego de Siloé; a second phase, four years later, was directed by Andrés de Vandelvira. In 1559 it was consecrated.