Church of the Assumption

Origin

The Church of the Assumption is the result of several construction stages, from the 16th to the 19th century, which allows you to admire elements of all the artistic styles present in that period: Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, Rococo and Neoclassical.

History

The work of a new church has been due to the increase in the population that the town had in those years. The initial date of construction was April 30, 1524. That day, the Bishop of Cartagena indicated the land where the new church would go, but the site was owned by D. Alonso de Pina, who gave it up after a long series of protests. 

Throughout the first half of the 16th century, it developed from the foundation to the elevation of the walls of the nave, the side chapels, the buttresses and a false wooden roof were added, and in 1572 more buttresses were added and it was consolidated. The Main Chapel; During these years the lower body of the cover must have been made, although the exact date and the master stonemason who carved it are unknown. The sculptural group here is concentrated in the spandrels (space between the arch and the columns) and represents the Annunciation. The Virgin is kneeling before a lectern in a praying position, and in front of her is the archangel Gabriel.

In 1624 Francisco de Figuerola completed the façade, with the second body (of lower quality than the lower one). The sculptural group located in the central part is composed of the Assumption of Mary, carried to Heaven by Angels, some carrying Palms from a lower funerary urn. The set is completed by the Apostles, among whom Saint Peter is identified kneeling behind the Papal Tiara and the keys to the Vatican.

Construction

The Sacristy and the Chapter Room were completed in the middle of the 17th century and at the end of the 18th century the Communion Chapel was completed, with a Latin cross plan and dome in the transept and with a finely carved Rococo doorway, in addition to the striking tower. of solid brick, the only one built (1782) of the two towers planned.

Inside, its single nave with a semicircular head and Corinthian columns stands out, giving it an air reminiscent of the Royal Chapel of Versailles. It was built in 1802 after the collapse of the vault of the main altar. It is topped with a barrel vault with lunettes, and side chapels with Gothic cross vaults and even helical columns.