Oratory of the Confraternity of the Solitude

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Albaida del Aljarafe. Acceso al Oratorio de la Hermandad de la Soledad

Albaida del Aljarafe. Detalle de Virgen en la entrada del Oratorio de la Hermandad de la Soledad

There is documentary proof that, in the 17th and 18th centuries, the present-day Oratory of the Confraternity of the Solitude was the “El Calvario” where the “Cruz de las Toallas” (penitential cross) was placed. Before the penitential procession in Holy Week, the Descent from the Cross was re-enacted using an articulated image of Christ. This event took place until the mid-20th century.

The oratory was built in 1976-1989. Carlos Amigo Vallejo, the Archbishop of Seville, consecrated the temple to the titular images of the Confraternity of the Solitude on 1 November 1989, All Saints’ Day. Since then, the Holy Week procession of the Confraternity on Good Friday evening and Easter Sunday starts from here. As does, the procession of Our Lady of Solitude, the patron saint of the Confraternity, on her feast day.

The Oratory of the Confraternity of the Solitude, built in the neoclassical revival style, has a rectangular plan and a portal with a simple bell gable crowned by a beautiful cast-iron cross. Between the bell gable and the portal is a tile panel depicting the image of the Christ of the Afflicted, and another of Our Lady of Solitude inside the fenced courtyard.

In the past, the Descent from the Cross was represented in this courtyard. Behind the main nave are the offices and other facilities of the Confraternity, including the storage room and embroidery workshop.

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Chapel

Sacred art

Church