Church of Santiago
Introduction
Moorish Route, Christian Monuments tour
The oldest church in Huéscar, the Church of Santiago, stands on the site of the old mosque of the Alcazaba. The mosque began to be used for Christian worship until 1494, when a new building was consecrated in Gothic style under the name of Santa María de la Encarnación, which a few years later was dedicated to Santiago, patron saint of Huéscar. Earthquakes, the Civil War and a serious fire are some of the vicissitudes that have left their mark on this building, which today awaits restoration.
Church of Santiago
Origins
Moorish Route, Christian Monuments tour
In 1488 the Christian troops of King Ferdinand the Catholic entered Huéscar after the surrender of the Moors, and capitulations were signed in Murcia, recognising their right to maintain their customs and religion.
However, Muslim worship was moved to the mosque in the suburb. The main mosque was consecrated as a Christian church and later replaced by a larger temple in Gothic style and a different layout, as the mosque would have a different orientation due to the fact that the main wall (qibla) faced Mecca.
The eastern façade was built over the space occupied by the wall and the Muslim cemetery.
Church of Santiago
Santiago's Order
Moorish Route, Christian Monuments tour
Throughout the conquest by the Christians, there are different privileges such as the one granted to the Order of Santiago, and to the commander of Uclés and all his friars and successors the fortresses and villages included in the municipality of Segura de la Sierra, which correspond to, among many others; Yeste, Catena and Huéscar, as the document of the General Archive of the Convent of Uclés of the Order of Santiago (Cuenca) testifies.
The building of the main mosque, small and ruinous, was demolished and a new building was erected thanks to the patronage of the Count of Lerín and his wife Dª. Leonor de Aragón, sister of King Fernando.
Church of Santiago
Duke of Alba
Moorish Route, Christian Monuments tour
This new construction consists of three naves, supported by six Gothic columns with a central vault higher than the two lateral ones. The columns were twisted due to the earthquakes that shook the area in 1517 and 1531, so a few years later the structure was reinforced with ashlars and external buttresses.
These repairs are believed to have been paid for by the Duke of Alba, Don Fadrique Álvarez de Toledo, who in 1513, on the death of the Count of Lerín, was granted the city of Huéscar. For this reason, his coat of arms can be found over the west door of the church.
Church of Santiago
Architecture
Moorish Route, Christian Monuments tour
Architecturally, it is a complex construction. The church has three naves. It has four sections with six pillars of Gothic style columns attached to them. The existence of two Mudejar columns with polyhedral shapes is strange and interesting, almost an antecedent of the Solomonic style. In the left aisle is the presbytery arch.
The tower is located at the foot, on the left side. The building has two doors: the western door with Renaissance decoration and the heraldry of the House of Alba. The walls are of ashlar masonry and retain the buttresses with which the church was reinforced, some of which are integrated into the adjoining buildings.
Church of Santiago
Evolution and vicissitudes
Moorish Route, Christian Monuments tour
Its historical evolution runs parallel to that of the town. Anecdotal facts, such as the fact that its doors were blown off with dynamite in the 18th century, in order to steal valuable belongings from inside without, apparently, any neighbour having heard anything strange at night; or the fire that took place at the beginning of the 20th century; the different wars, etc., prove and support this statement.
During the summer of 1908 it caught fire as a result of a lightning strike during a storm, which caused the roof to burn and all the vaults to be severely damaged, leaving the church in danger of collapse. The fire was put out by the neighbours, who were also responsible for the cost of its restoration.
Church of Santiago
20th century evolution
Moorish Route, Christian Monuments tour
It was considered a parish church until the 20th century, although this does not mean that it abandoned its function as a sacred precinct, being the canonical seat of one of the Holy Week brotherhoods, specifically the Venerable and Very Illustrious Brotherhood of the Holy Christ of the Expiration and Mary Most Holy of Hope, and its premises have even been used for sacred concerts.
Around 1936, the church was looted during the Civil War, leaving it with hardly any ornamentation. At present, the church is in a poor state of conservation, awaiting further restoration.
Church of Santiago
Holy Week
Moorish Route, Christian Monuments tour
Easter Week in Huesca, declared of Tourist Interest in Andalusia, is one of the most solemn celebrations that can be admired and experienced in Granada, and this church is the protagonist.
A centuries-old tradition, its origins date back to 1580, making it one of the oldest in the province.
The geographical location and historical development of Huéscar means that its Holy Week is a melting pot of Castilian, Levantine and Andalusian styles, which is evident in its sculptural heritage and makes it a unique festivity. The Cristo de la Expiración and the Santo Sepulcro, the Esperanza, the Soledad, or the Virgen de los Dolores and San Juan, are examples of this.
Church of Santiago
Introduction
Moorish Route, Christian Monuments tour
The oldest church in Huéscar, the Church of Santiago, stands on the site of the old mosque of the Alcazaba. The mosque began to be used for Christian worship until 1494, when a new building was consecrated in Gothic style under the name of Santa María de la Encarnación, which a few years later was dedicated to Santiago, patron saint of Huéscar. Earthquakes, the Civil War and a serious fire are some of the vicissitudes that have left their mark on this building, which today awaits restoration.
Church of Santiago
Origins
Moorish Route, Christian Monuments tour
In 1488 the Christian troops of King Ferdinand the Catholic entered Huéscar after the surrender of the Moors, and capitulations were signed in Murcia, recognising their right to maintain their customs and religion.
However, Muslim worship was moved to the mosque in the suburb. The main mosque was consecrated as a Christian church and later replaced by a larger temple in Gothic style and a different layout, as the mosque would have a different orientation due to the fact that the main wall (qibla) faced Mecca.
The eastern façade was built over the space occupied by the wall and the Muslim cemetery.
Church of Santiago
Santiago's Order
Moorish Route, Christian Monuments tour
Throughout the conquest by the Christians, there are different privileges such as the one granted to the Order of Santiago, and to the commander of Uclés and all his friars and successors the fortresses and villages included in the municipality of Segura de la Sierra, which correspond to, among many others; Yeste, Catena and Huéscar, as the document of the General Archive of the Convent of Uclés of the Order of Santiago (Cuenca) testifies.
The building of the main mosque, small and ruinous, was demolished and a new building was erected thanks to the patronage of the Count of Lerín and his wife Dª. Leonor de Aragón, sister of King Fernando.
Church of Santiago
Duke of Alba
Moorish Route, Christian Monuments tour
This new construction consists of three naves, supported by six Gothic columns with a central vault higher than the two lateral ones. The columns were twisted due to the earthquakes that shook the area in 1517 and 1531, so a few years later the structure was reinforced with ashlars and external buttresses.
These repairs are believed to have been paid for by the Duke of Alba, Don Fadrique Álvarez de Toledo, who in 1513, on the death of the Count of Lerín, was granted the city of Huéscar. For this reason, his coat of arms can be found over the west door of the church.
Church of Santiago
Architecture
Moorish Route, Christian Monuments tour
Architecturally, it is a complex construction. The church has three naves. It has four sections with six pillars of Gothic style columns attached to them. The existence of two Mudejar columns with polyhedral shapes is strange and interesting, almost an antecedent of the Solomonic style. In the left aisle is the presbytery arch.
The tower is located at the foot, on the left side. The building has two doors: the western door with Renaissance decoration and the heraldry of the House of Alba. The walls are of ashlar masonry and retain the buttresses with which the church was reinforced, some of which are integrated into the adjoining buildings.
Church of Santiago
Evolution and vicissitudes
Moorish Route, Christian Monuments tour
Its historical evolution runs parallel to that of the town. Anecdotal facts, such as the fact that its doors were blown off with dynamite in the 18th century, in order to steal valuable belongings from inside without, apparently, any neighbour having heard anything strange at night; or the fire that took place at the beginning of the 20th century; the different wars, etc., prove and support this statement.
During the summer of 1908 it caught fire as a result of a lightning strike during a storm, which caused the roof to burn and all the vaults to be severely damaged, leaving the church in danger of collapse. The fire was put out by the neighbours, who were also responsible for the cost of its restoration.
Church of Santiago
20th century evolution
Moorish Route, Christian Monuments tour
It was considered a parish church until the 20th century, although this does not mean that it abandoned its function as a sacred precinct, being the canonical seat of one of the Holy Week brotherhoods, specifically the Venerable and Very Illustrious Brotherhood of the Holy Christ of the Expiration and Mary Most Holy of Hope, and its premises have even been used for sacred concerts.
Around 1936, the church was looted during the Civil War, leaving it with hardly any ornamentation. At present, the church is in a poor state of conservation, awaiting further restoration.
Church of Santiago
Holy Week
Moorish Route, Christian Monuments tour
Easter Week in Huesca, declared of Tourist Interest in Andalusia, is one of the most solemn celebrations that can be admired and experienced in Granada, and this church is the protagonist.
A centuries-old tradition, its origins date back to 1580, making it one of the oldest in the province.
The geographical location and historical development of Huéscar means that its Holy Week is a melting pot of Castilian, Levantine and Andalusian styles, which is evident in its sculptural heritage and makes it a unique festivity. The Cristo de la Expiración and the Santo Sepulcro, the Esperanza, the Soledad, or the Virgen de los Dolores and San Juan, are examples of this.