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| San Juan de Dios looks down onto the street of the same name. |
Basilica of San Juan de Dios
The bell tower of San Juan de Dios church.
Located on the street of the same name, the church and hospital of San Juan de Dios are beautiful Baroque buildings well worth a visit and easily accesible, just off the Gran Vía.
The Basilica of San Juan de Dios stands as one of the most prominent examples of Spanish Baroque architecture and a deeply significant spiritual site in Granada. Its construction was an initiative driven by the Hospitaller Order of San Juan de Dios, specifically intended to provide a dignified final resting place for the remains and relics of their founder, Saint John of God (San Juan de Dios), who is also the patron saint of Granada and of the sick.
Work on the basilica commenced in 1737 and was completed relatively quickly for a structure of its grandeur, with the doors opening in 1759. The architectural plan is that of a Latin cross, featuring a central nave flanked by side chapels, a transept, and a grand main chapel (Capilla Mayor).
The exterior, characterized by a handsome Baroque façade and two flanking towers with slate spires, gives only a slight hint of the astonishing richness within. Upon entering, visitors are met with an overwhelming display of opulence, defined by the rich colors and textures of gold, silver, fine marbles, and dark woods. It is considered a dizzying visual feast, representing the peak of the Baroque style's dramatic and illusionistic qualities.
The focus of the interior is the colossal, highly ornate main altarpiece, which commands the viewer's attention. Above it soars a soaring dome adorned with stunning frescoes. However, the spiritual and artistic climax of the visit is the Camarín. This is a small, elevated, and intensely decorated chapel or chamber located behind the main altar. Here, in a magnificent solid silver urn, are interred the relics of San Juan de Dios. The entire space is a treasure trove, complete with reliquaries and exquisite paintings that depict episodes from the saint's life and the virtues he embodied. The basilica continues to serve as the spiritual center for the Hospitaller Order of San Juan de Dios, making it a living monument to his dedication to charitable work and the care of the sick.
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Location
Calle San Juan de Dios, 17, Granada
