Sanctuary Brotherhood of Los Gitanos

2819

The Church of the Cristo de los Gitanos, the real name of which is the Sanctuary of Nuestro Padre Jesús de la Salud and María Santísima de las Angustias Coronada, dates back to the beginning of the 15th century. It was part of the Franciscan convent of the Valle, which consists of the church, outbuildings, cloisters, gardens and orchard.

The several confiscations of the 19th century transformed the convent into a school until it was completely abandoned well into the second half of the 20th century. Only the church was spared from this demolition, which, despite the cultural damage done, left a section of the Almohad wall with three towers that formed part of the interior of the convent.

In 1996 it was ceded to the Brotherhood of Los Gitanos with the commitment to restore it. In addition, Cayetana Fitz-James Stuart, Duchess of Alba, was actively involved in its funding.

The building, which is austere on the outside, has a very garnished main entrance in a neo-Gothic style. It has a rectangular floor plan with three naves, the central one being much wider, while the side naves are covered by galleries that run through the whole temple. They are separated by pointed arches, supported by poly-lobed pilasters, each of which holds a sculpture of a saint.

The roof of the central nave is made of wood and Mudejar style, built using the collar-beam technique. In the centre is the coat of arms of the Brotherhood of Los Gitanos.

The entrance to the alcove of La Virgen de las Angustias is made up of mural paintings by the painter Raúl Berzosa, from Málaga. The works, made with oil on canvas, represent the 7 Sorrows of the Virgin Mary and were blessed by Monsignor Carlos Amigo Vallejo, Archbishop Emeritus of Seville.

Labels