Andrés de Vandelvira

Who was Andrés de Vandelvira?

Andrés de Vandelvira was a Spanish architect, active mainly in Jaén, Uclés, Baeza, and Úbeda during the Renaissance. He was born in Alcaraz, in the province of Albacete and died in Jaén.

The church of Nuestra Señora de la Asunción in Villacarrillo was one of his first works in Jaén. Among his most notable works is the Chapel of the Savior in Úbeda, based on a project by Diego de Siloé, and commissioned by Francisco de los Cobos. The Chapel is located on the Vazquez de Molina Square next to the Dean Ortega Palace and the Vázquez de Molina Palace, both designed by Vandelvira. He completed the Chapel of the Benavides in the convent of San Francisco of Baeza. He also helped complete the cathedral de Baeza, the Convent of Santo Domingo de La Guardia in Jaén, and the Hospital de Santiago in Úbeda. His masterpiece is considered the Jaén Cathedral.

One of his sons, Alonso de Vandelvira, published a book on stone-cutting, entitled "Libro de cortes de piedra".