Iglesia de la Inmaculada Concepción - Higuera de Calatrava
Also known as Iglesia de la Purísima Concepción, the church is a Gothic-Renaissance temple built throughout the sixteenth century and later renovated. On its site stood the medieval Iglesia de Santa María, the remains of which are still evident on the south wall and main façade. Since the beginning of the sixteenth century, following the Catholic reconquest,there was a demographic increase that necessitated the expansion of the temple. The works beganin the second halfof the sixteenth century, but only the head of the temple, main altar and side chapels were built according to the project. From this phase, the twisted or helical columns strongly linked with the Levantine Gothic, and especially with the case of the archpriest Iglesia de Santiago Apóstol de Villena (Alicante), stand out. The second phase of the work, which began in 1590, was signed by Benito del Castillo. A confirmation of the floor plan with large Tuscan columns with high entablatures finished in cornices up to the height of the pointed arches of the chevet. Above them, the semicircular arches that support the wooden frame rise and divide the three naves longitudinally. In 1600, with the erection of the main facade and belfry, the works were considered finished. Throughout the twentieth century, it underwent two important interventions, the first by the architect of the Bishopric of Jaén Don Justino Flórezduring the early years of the twentieth century. From 1942, the General Directorate of Devastated Regions intervened, according to the project of Ramón Pajares Pardo, rehabilitating the church and renovating the oculus and belfry, remainingpartially faithful to the previous appearance.
Location
Located in Plaza de España.