14. Chapel of Holy Christ
Video guide
14. Chapel of Holy Christ
The Chapel of Santo Cristo (Holy Christ), also known as the chapel of the Peralta Forcén Bernabeu del Castillo family, is a notable example of architecture located at the base of the bell tower of the collegiate church of Santa María. Its structure is integrated into the lower part of the tower, which follows a design similar to that of the church of San Andrés, with an exterior tower and interior counter-tower configuration. The latter rests on an approach casemate built with rows of brick, creating an octagonal space at its base. It is important to note that access to the tower is from above, above this casemate.
The chapel’s recent history marks a turning point in 1973, when its original partitioned vault concealing the brick casemate was removed. Photographic records prior to this date show that both the vault and the eight walls of the chapel featured elaborate baroque plasterwork, and the space was dominated by a magnificent 18th-century altarpiece, characterised by its Solomonic columns and a crucified Christ. During the works to consolidate the collegiate church, the restoration architect decided to remove all the Baroque decoration, considering it incompatible with the Mudejar origins of the tower. This intervention included the dismantling of the altarpiece, keeping only the image of the crucified Christ. In the most recent restoration, faced with the impossibility of recovering the original appearance, it was decided to cover the walls with alabaster.
The chapel is accessed through a semicircular arch, located at the head on the Epistle side, forming part of a doorway that finds its symmetrical reflection in the chapel of the Solitude, located on the Gospel side. The decoration of the doorway displays a rich baroque ornamental programme that includes Corinthian pilasters, split curved pediments, plant motifs, masks and horns of plenty. Also noteworthy are the angels holding the column of the scourging and the Holy Cross, a Eucharistic pelican and the heraldic shield of the commissioners, who established this space as their funeral pantheon from 1615, as indicated by an inscription.
