Semana Santa Estepa

Seville enchants

This small Mudejar church has a typical mountain architecture consisting of a single nave with transversal arches and a standalone main chapel. The chapel is covered with a dome crowned by a cupola that was added during the Baroque period. The main entrance, at the west end, is also Baroque. The pointed arch on the right wall, obscured by several adjacent rooms, is Mudejar.

Located in the upper part of the town, we cannot state with certainty its year of construction, as there are no data or records on it. From the church's death records, we can assume that the date of construction was between 1660 and 1670.

Reconstructed in 1938, the church is home to paintings and images from the 17th century and 18th century, transferred here from the now-extinct La Victoria Convent in Estepa, including the image of the patron saint of the town. 

In the 8th century, when Gerena had already been conquered, the church was built from the tower (altar area) towards the door of forgiveness. Moors were involved in its construction, which is why the arches that separate the two parts of the church are of Mudejar style and the roof is a wooden coffered ceiling. The main altar was also built at that time.

This Baroque temple, built by the Franciscan Order of Alcantara, was consecrated on 3 May 1624. In 1837, following the confiscation of church properties ordered by Mendizábal, the religious community abandoned the convent, taking with them the artworks they had collected over the years. Part of the former convent now belonged to the State, and was used as barracks for the Guardia Civil.

Estepa’s Sacred Art Museum is located in the Santa María la Mayor Church. The fact sheets provide insight into the different changes the building has undergone throughout its history, be it a mosque, Gothic or Mudejar Church.