Santo Domingo Church and Cloister

Santo Domingo Church and Cloister

History

Santo Domingo church (also known as Santo Domingo Convent) is a church and a convent which was built to outside of the city wall. In this church was celebrated the first worship after the Jerez conquest.

The church size, its architectonic quality, its cloister and its sacristy did that was one of the biggest monastic foundations of Andalusia. This convent had more than 150 friars and in its main chapel ordered to be buried the Gran Canaria conqueror, Pedro de Vera in the 16th century.

Also, in its interior has the Virgen de Consolation sculpture (Virgin of the consolation), which had big devotion, even outside the city.

The Santo Domingo cloister has its origin in the land loan to the congregation by the Alfonso X King. This congregation was extended the facilities and in 1436 was begun the construction of the cloister which was finished in 1595. With the Mendizabal confiscation, the congregation was expelled and the land was sold.

Salvador Díez y Pérez de Muñoz bought the cloister in 1908 and in 1983 became in City Hall property.

The church and the cloister are one of the most important Andalusia heritages because of in these buildings there are a mix of styles, Moorish, gothic and renaissance.

Exterior description

The church has T form which the horizontal arm is the main nave, having its main facade in Larga Street. The other arm is called "Del Rosario" and has its facade to Alameda Cristina.

The "Del Rosario" facade is classicist style and is composed by two big Corinthian columns which flank to the entry arch.

The door which is in the Plaza Aladro, was built in 1696 by Fray Diego Díaz. It is a big size facade composed by an arch and pilasters.

Interior description

The main nave is gothic style but also has Moorish style decorations.

The first chapel in the gospel side of the main nave is the "Dulce Nombre de Jesús" chapel which is 17th century and was built by Antón Martín Calafate.

In the centre of the main nave, in the access to the Del Rosario nave, we find with Consolación chapel which is rectangular plant and covered by ribbing vault. It was built in 1537 by Jácome Adorno, noble of the city.

The sacristy is located behind the presbytery and was built by Antón Martín Calafate in 1629. It has a rectangular plant and has three sections, two ends and the central. The two ends are covered by barrel vault and the central by a reticulated vault. We have to highlight the baroque furniture.

The chapter room is also built by Antón Martín Calafate in 1628. It is a rectangular plant and is covered by a barrel vault. We have to highlight the door that communicates with the sacristy, which has pilasters and anthropomorphic capitals.

The cloister has the classical square structure with a central garden that distributes the rooms. It is built in two floor and the corridors are covered by simple ribbed vault. The second floor is simpler than the ground floor.

You can download in the next link, all the information of the Cloister that the Jerez city hall offers to the tourist in Spanish, English, French and German.

http://www.turismojerez.com/fileadmin/images/temas/Monumentos/FOLLETO_CLAUSTROS.pdf

Visit

Church:

Worship schedules: Monday to Saturday, 9:30, 12:00 and 20:00. Sunday, 9:00, 12:00, 13:00 and 20:00

Visits schedules: Monday to Friday from 10:00 to 11:45

Cloister:

Tuesday to Friday from 10:00 to 14:00 and 17:00 to 20:00

Saturday, Sunday and Feasts days from 10:00 to 14:30.

Contact and location

Church:

Address: Alameda Cristina

Telephone: 956341037

Cloister:

Address: Alameda Cristina

Telephone: 956336965 - 956149732

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San Lucas Church

San Lucas Church

History

San Lucas church (St. Luke) is one of the churches that Alfonso X ordered to build after the Jerez conquest. It is built above an ancient mosque and it is a baroque style.

Exterior description

The main facade was built in the 14th century. It is bell-shaped and it bears over itself the tower, which has rectangular body and also includes a niche with a St. Luke sculpture that hold a little bulrush built in 1729. It has the access through a perron that connects with the church with the square.

Interior description

The church has three naves and two sections, and the polygonal head. Its interior is a baroque style due to the restoration which did during the years 1714 and 1730 by Vartolomé Baptista.

It is think that the apse is the oldest elements of the church. It is polygonal plant and it is composed of a vault. In this places, it is located the solomonic altarpiece of Francisco Lopes who built it in 1723. In the centre of this, it is located the sculpture of Virgin Mary of Guadalupe, which according to the tradition was donated by the Alfonso XI King after El Salado's Battle. Both of the sides of this sculpture are located the St. Fernando and St. Isidoro. On the altarpiece top is located St. Luke sculpture which is flanked by St. Sebastián and St. John.

In the epistle nave's head exists a square piece covered with a fake dome at the same time that in the Gospel side. It thinks that was built in 1714. In this place is located the rococo altarpiece built in 1764 by Matías Navarro. In the altarpiece, there is in the centre the St. Jose sculpture flanked by St. Peter and St. Pablo. Also, next to the altarpiece, there is a painting of the 17th century of the "Virgin Mary and the Kid".

The St. Anne altarpiece is in the head of the Gospel nave. It was built in the 18th century and it is rococo style. It is located the St. Anne sculpture and under this, a St. Joaquin sculpture donated by José Ponce de León in 1733.

In the wall next to the epistle is located a rococo altarpiece of the 18th century, with tiled benches built around 1700. Next to that, it is the sanctuary which is covered with two sections of gothic vault. The sanctuary is chaired by a rococo altarpiece with the St. Rafael sculpture.

The animas chapel is chaired by Francisco Camacho Mendoza's altarpiece which was built in 1725. This altarpiece is composed by the Virgin Mary and the Kid and St. Luke.

Next to this chapel is located the Camporreal Chapel, which was built by Andrés de Ribera in 1582. Regrettably was maimed in 1728 and reformed in 1971. In its interior, we have to highlight the Nuestra Señora de los Dolores sculpture, which is 18th century.

Visit

Contact and location

Address: Plaza San Lucas

 Telephone: 956338470

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San Marcos Church

San Marcos Church

History

San Marcos church is declared Spanish Property of Cultural Interest and Historic-Artistic Monument of Spain. Is one of the first churches which Alfonso X built after the Jerez conquest in 1264.

The construction started in the 14th century, since, it can see in the polygonal apse and in the Moorish style main door of the Gospel side. The construction was finished in the 16th century, although later it was performed a re-construction that finished in the 1480.

It is a historic place of the city, because in its interior was celebrated the assembly that was presided by the Duke of Medina Sidonia who had as aim to finish with the conflicts between the Jerez nobles.

Exterior description

The church has three facades which the epistle facade is the oldest that it is Moorish style. The main facade is mannerist style of the 16th century and it is composed by rusticated pilasters that flank the entry door. The Gospel facade is 18th century and baroque style.

Finally, the bulrush is triple vain and it is crowned by a big fronton. It was built in 1774 by Juan Bargas.

Interior description

The church is only one nave of big size and height, and in its sides is located the chapels. The four sides of the central nave are covered by a starry dome.

The presbytery was modified in the 19th century to put the choir stalls, carved by José Rey, Agustín Medina y Flores and José de Santiago. Behind this choir stalls, are located tiled panels of Moorish style which form starry decoration and are from 14th or 15th centuries.

The pulpit is made in marble adapting it to the aesthetics of the sanctuary.

The main altarpiece has paintings which date of the 16th century.

The sanctuary is located in the Gospel side and it is result of the union of two chapels, that work was made between 1750 and 1765 by Pedro de Cos. In the head of the sanctuary there is a neo-classicist style altarpiece, but the most interesting in this chapel is the decoration of the marble pink's plinth.

The stained glass were done in the 19th century and were donated by nobles from Jerez. These represent to St. Lawrence, St. Anne, St. Susana, St. Patrick, Salomon King and St. George.

The sanctuary is square plant and presents the same kind of dome that the main nave. It preserves a 19th century apostolate of Rodríguez de Losada.

Visit

Monday to Friday from 11:00 to 13:00

Contact and location

Address: Plaza de San Marcos

 Telephone: 956341897

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San Dionisio Church

San Dionisio Church

History

This church was one of the churches that Alfonso X commanded to build after the Jerez conquest in 1264, the St Dionisio day, due to this, this church is called like that.

The construction began in 1457 and it is gothic-moorish style. During the 18th century, the church had some changes in its interior which adopted a baroque style.

In addition, the church is important in the city history, since, in 1483, more than 300 knights were met in its interior to sworn and prevent that the Marquis of Cádiz increase his power.

San Dionisio Church has been restored recently.

Exterior description

The main facade is located at Plaza de la Asunción, next to the AncientCity Council, and it has a gabled roof. We have to highlight the central rosette, as well as, the front and the windows which are moorish style.

Next to the church exists a structure, Atalaya's Tower, which is declared as Spanish government as a Historic-Artistic Monument.

This tower was built by the council in the 15th century to install the first watch in the city and also had a surveillance use.

It is a civil building which does not have a common origin with the rest of the temple, but due to it was built of detached form and with the bulrush, makes of bell tower.

Interior description

The church has a basilica plan and it is divided in three naves using cruciform pillars which are decorated with big Almohads ties that rise to the capitals. The naves finish in apse, cover with baroque altarpieces of the 18th century, being the main altarpiece the most important.

The main altarpiece was built by Agustín Medina y Flores in the 18th century.

It is divided in three bodies with four big stipes. The first body is configured with its central way and two lateral bodies where is located the Immaculate of the 18th century and the St. Ana's dressing room. In the superior side of the church, we find the titular of this temple, St. Dionisio.

In both of sides of the presbytery are located two paintings, "Last Supper" and "St. Teresa".

The head of the epistle nave have the baroque decoration created by Ignacio Díaz in the first middle of 18th century. In this place is located the Mayor Dolor (major pain) altarpiece of rococo style. In the head of the altarpiece is located the 18th century sculpture of the "Mayor Dolor of the Virgin Mary". In the lateral, there are the sculptures of Santiago el Mayor and St. Bartolomé, and in the superior side, the Ecce-Homo's sculpture.

In the epistle nave is located the Gatica's chapel of the 15th century which there is the "Cristo de las Aguas" (Christ of the water) sculpture which is a recumbent Christ sculpture of the 16th century.

Visit

Monday to Friday from 11:00 to 13:00.

Information telephone: 649202675

Contact and location

Address: Plaza de la Asunción

Telephone: 956342940

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San Mateo Church

San Mateo Church

History

San Mateo church was one of the churches which were built after the Jerez conquest in 1264. It is a 15th century construction and the main style is gothic besides of elements romanesque, renaissance and baroque.

Exterior description

There are two fronts in this church, on the one hand the epistle side front is moorish style, and on the other hand, the main facade, which is the oldest, and has a pointed arch flanked by two needles like buttresses.

The church has only one nave with three sections, the most shorter, acts as transept nave. Also, to this nave are opened several side chapels. In the front are attached two towers and in the epistle side there is a bulrush which has three bells.

Interior description

The altarpiece is baroque style and has two bodies which have several sculptures.

In the epistle nave is located the San Sebastián altar which was built in 1622. We have to highlight the San Sebastían sculpture which is flanked by paintings that represent "The Imposition of the Chasuble to San Idelfonso" and the "Virgin Mary with the Child".

Next to this altarpiece, we find with the 18th century baptistery and has square form and starry vault. There is a painting of the "Baptism of Christ".

Chapels:

• Lopez de Mendoza's chapel: The front is 17th century and has the same kind of cover that the baptistery.
• Torres-Gaitán's chapel: there is an altarpiece which was built by Matías José Navarro in the 18th century.
• Villacreces's chapel: There is a 18th century altarpiece which presides a Nuestra Señora de la cabeza sculpture. On the right and left of that sculpture, we find the sculpture of San Antonio and San José. Also there is a 17th century painting of the "Virgin Mary with the child".
• Spínola's Chapel: This chapel is a 16th century gothic work. The gimped columns altarpiece was built in 1640, and also, there are several paintings.
• Morales Maldonado's chapel. This chapel is closed by an iron fence of 1594. We have to highlight in its interior, despite its small size, a baroque altarpiece of the 18th century with the Jesús de las Penas sculpture, work of Francisco Camacho de Mendoza in 1714.
• Brotherhood of the Desconsuelo's chapel: In its interior is located a baroque altarpiece of the 18th century. There are two sculptures of the Virgin Mary of the Desconsuelo and St. John, both of the 1713 and are attributed to Camacho de Mendoza.
•  Riquelme's Chapel: we have to highlight the "Nuestra Señora del Amparo" altarpiece of the 16th century of the rococo style which is escorted by paintings of the 17th century that represented to St. Barbara, St. Catalina, St. Fernando and St. Hermenegildo. Also, it is important the church choir, built in stone and with wooden chairs.

Visit

Worship Schedules: Monday to Saturday at 20:30

Visit Schedules: Monday, from 17:00 to 21:00. Saturday, from 19:30 to 21:00.

Visit group have to get a previous appointment in the next telephone: 625128819

Contact and location

Address: Plaza de San Mateo, 10

Telephone: 956344317

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San Juan de los Caballeros Church

San Juan de los Caballeros Church

History

This church is one of the historic churches which Alfonso X commanded to build above the ancient mosques of the city after the Jerez conquest. The architects Hernán Ruiz and Alfonso Vandelvira were involved in this construction.

Despite Jerez was conquered in 1264, this did not mean a stability in the city, since it was frequently the Arab invasions. The crown needed to Jerez to control the Guadalete River, so Jerez was the defensive city of the province.

In 1285 a really powerful army entered from Africa and in that time, the knights of Jerez met in this church to sign with their own blood a letter to the King Sancho IV in which, they asked to him to help to the city.

Exterior description

The 16th century tower-facade is attributed to Alonso de Vandelvira and is renaissance style. It is composed of an arch which is flanked by four Tuscan columns. The arch forms an access to a little vaulted atrium where is located the main door of the temple. The others bodies are baroque style and were designed by Antón Matín Calafate.

Also, we have to highlight the semicircular head which was castellated during the 18th century, as well as, its lateral facades of the 16th century.

Interior description

The first nave's stretch was built in 1530 and it is covered by a gothic style dome.  The canvas of southeast stretch is made of brick.

The last stretch is renaissance character and breaks the gothic model of the two first sections.

Despite the temple is unique nave, we have to highlight the lateral chapels like De la Jura chapel which has a starry vault built in the 16th century; Capilla de los Zarzanas of 16th century and sanctuary chapel, gothic dome of 16th century.

VisitContact and location

Address: Plaza de San Juan

Telephone:  956324341

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Santiago Church

Santiago Church

History

Santiago church was declared Spanish Property of Cultural Interest and Spanish Historic-Artistic Monument. After the Jerez conquest in 1264, it was built next to the city wall a hermitage which was the seed of the current church and the famous Santiago neighbourhood.

Its construction began in the 15th century and finished in the 16th century under leadership of Alfonso Rodríguez.

Currently the church is in restoration process.

Exterior description

The main facade is gothic style and it is decorated and divided by two bodies which are flanked by pinnacles. The lateral facades are resembled to the main, but these have less decoration.

The tower, bulrush and the sanctuary chapel are baroque style.

It exists one shield of the Catholic Monarchs in the main door which shows the time construction, 15th century, however, the tower and the bulrush are later.

Interior description

The church has three naves of different heights being the central nave taller than the laterals. In the exterior it is compensated by buttresses.

We have to highlight the Capilla de la Paz (Peace Chapel) which is previous the church construction, dated in 14th century.

Also, it is important the sculpture of Señor del Prendimiento (Apprehension Jesus) which is attributed to Roldana and it is located in the front of gospel nave. This sculpture is one of the most venerated of Jerez.

Visit

Regrettably, it is in restoration process, so you can only see from the outside.

Contact and location

Address: Plaza de Santiago

Telephone: 956180839

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San Miguel Church

St. Michael Church

History

St. Michael Church is declared as Spanish government as a Historic-Artistic Monument. The construction began in the 15th century and was finished in the 17th century and due to that, there are different architectonic styles, but the main is gothic. This church and Santiago Church are considered the most important churches of Jerez.

The construction began after the conquest of Jerez by Alfonso X in 1264. It began with a little hermitage which in no time was too small due to the people that were attending to the hermitage. In 1484, Catholic Monarchs visited Jerez and the habitants asked them the construction of a bigger church.

Also, it exists a legend about the constructions of the churches of St. Michael and Santiago.

According to this legend, St. Michael and Santiago helped to the Christian army during the conquest of Jerez and due to this, Alfonso X ordered the constructions of both churches in two of the Jerez doors.

Exterior description

We have to highlight the main facade which has baroque style and many decorative elements. The construction was finished in 1702 and its design was of Diego Moreno Meléndez. It is divided into three body and tower-style facade.

The lateral facades, called as Concepción (Epistle side) and the San José (Gospel side) are gothic style. The construction of these facades began in 1482 and was designed by Juan de Hoces. In both lateral facades is located the sculptures of St. Joseph and Immaculate which are 18th century.

Interior description

The church has rectangular plant and divided in three naves, being the central nave taller than laterals. The naves division is done by decorated pillars and vaults.

In the interior, we have to highlight the main altarpiece, which is one of the most important works of the Spanish Gold Century. It is works from Juan Martínez Montañés in 1609.

Also it is important the Sanctuary Chapel which was built between 1718 and 1739. It has Greek cross plant and covering the centre with an octagonal dome and the arms with barrel vault. The Cristo de la Salud is work from José de Arce who did it in the 17th century.

Visit

Worship schedules:

Monday to Friday at 20:00.

Saturday and Sunday at 9:00, 12:00 and 20:00

Visits to the temple:

Monday to Friday from 9:30 to 13:30 and from 16:30 to 18:30

Contact and location

Address: Plaza de San Miguel

Telephone: 956343347

Website: http://www.parroquiasanmigueljerez.org

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Charterhouse of Jerez

Charterhouse of Jerez

History

(also known Charterhouse of Santa María de la Defensión)

This monument is located at Jerez outskirts and it is the most important monument in the province. The construction began in 15th century and it was finished in 17th century, it has a gothic and renaissance styles. It was declared Spanish Property of Cultural Interest and Spanish government as a Historic-Artistic Monument in 1856 when only 12 monuments had that designation.

The construction of this monument is due to jerezano knight Álvaro Obertos de Valeto, who after the Jerez conquest by Alfonso X and die without offspring, he left his fortune to establish a Carthusian monastery in the city.

In 1475, it was decided the location of the monastery. The monastery is located next to the Guadalete River, where the Salado Battle occurred that according to the legend, the Virgin Mary helped to the conquest. In that place, it was built a hermitage which was called Santa María de la Defensión and then the monastery adopted its name.

Exterior description

The entry to the monastery enclosure is renaissance style and was built by Andrés de Ribera in 1571. It is a big triumphal arch, decorated with coat of arms, fretwork windows, and glazed ceramic hemispheres.

The church facade was built in the 17th century and is baroque style. It is created in two body overlapping of Corinthian columns and curved entablature, resting on the base set and shields decorated with floral themes. Also, it exists a third body smaller than the others and with vases, pilasters and friezes.

Interior description

We have to highlight the choir stalls which are carved in wood and were finished in 1550.

The altarpiece is Flemish style and it was made by the best artists of that age as Alejandro de Saavedra, José de Arce and Francisco Zurbarán.

We have to highlight also, the paintings that were painted by Francisco Zurbarán to the sanctuary walls. Currently, the paintings are in a museum in Cádiz.

In the monastery subsoil exist many galleries and tunnels which nowadays are unknown the construction year and the use that was given in that time. Due to that, there are many legends of these tunnels.

Visit

Worship schedules: Every Tuesday and Saturday at 8:15 am, Sunday and Monday at 17:30. Schedules before feast days: Tuesday to Saturday at 18:00 and Sunday at 17:00. Feasts days are closed.

Visit to the gardens from 7:00 to 18:00.

The visit to interior has to be concerted

Contact and location

Road Jerez - Algeciras, Kilometre 5

 956156465 - 956156683

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Cathedral of Jerez

History

The Cathedral of Jerez is declared as Spanish Property of Cultural Interest. It is a 17th century construction and has the Gothic, Baroque and Neo-classicist styles.

It is constructed on the ancient main Mosque of Jerez and on the Holy Saviour Church. The bell tower, which is separated of the rest of the construction, is of that period.

After the Jerez conquest by Alfonso X, it was built on the Main Mosque, the Holy Saviour Church in 1264, conserving this name until the Cathedral designation in 1980.

Since 1264 to 1695, it existed the ancient Holy Saviour church which was in ruined during the last years. Due to this, it decided a new church construction and to do this work was elected Diego Moreno Meléndez. The edifice was always constructed with the intention of improve the size and the architectural quality of others important churches like St. Michael or Santiago, since, the thought was that Church would be designated in the future like Cathedral.

Due to the construction time, 80 years, and the economical problems that the building suffered, many architects worked in this edifice as Rodrigo del Pozo, Diego Antonio Díaz, Ignacio Díaz y Juan Pina. The costs of the Cathedral construction were paid by Kingdom, private donations and City Hall.

The Cathedral was opened to the public in 1778

The interior houses a painting of Virgin Mary by Francisco Zurbarán.

Exterior description

The main style of the Cathedral is the Gothic but it is combined with others Baroque and Neo-classicist styles. The main facade is adorned with imagery and baroque motifs, and a triple gate that is accessed it by a neoclassical redoubt. This facade has three front, The Nativity on the right, the Epiphany on the left and centre reserved for Immaculate.

The bell tower is separated of the rest of the building which is the only edifice that exists of the ancient church and it is divided in two bodies. The lower body, 15th century and the gothic-mudejar style and the higher, 18th century and was built by Juan de Pina.

The Cathedral exterior view is presented by 5 naves of different elevations, which rest on the outer with buttresses and flying buttresses, as well as, a cross-nave that is connected to the main nave with transept dome. In the dome there are the sculptures of the Fathers of the Church, which were built by Jácome Vaccaro.

Also the lateral doors, Visitación and Encarnación, and the stained glass are highlights.

Interior description

The internal distribution suffered different changes to adapt the Church to the new liturgical structure.

The presbytery was disassembled to put in that place the choir, and with that change, the altar designed by Francisco Hernández-Rubio in 1896 disappeared.

The new presbytery has the ancient choir stalls that were allocated in this place. The lowest chairs were done by Bernardo Serrano during 1757-1768, and the taller chairs were designed by Torcuato Cayón and are rococo style and were done by Jácome Vaccaro in 1778.

The altar was designed by José Menéndez-Pidal in 1965.

The head of the side nave of the Epistle is presided by the Immaculate altar, which is an altarpiece of the 17th century.

On the opposite side, is located the Cristo de la Viga's altarpiece which was done by Agustín de Medina y Flores in 1741. In 1778 was restored by Jácome Vaccaro who included a pavilion and rococo decoration.

The Cristo de la Viga is a gothic crucifix sculpture of the 15th century.

The Cathedral does not have chapels with the sanctuary exception, but has altars in the walls in the last naves.

In the front end of the nave is located the St. Jose altar, baroque altarpiece of the 18th century. Also, in the altarpiece is located the sculpture of Virgen del Socorro who is the co-patron saint of the city and was done in the 16th century.

The stained glass was manufactured in France, in the 19th century. The stained glass of the central nave represent to apostolate, above the end of the gospel front side, it represents to Ecce Homo; above the end of the epistle front side, the Immaculate; in the east front, the Saviour; and above the main door, St. Michael.

The lectern, which is located in the Cathedral museum, was made at the same time that the choir stalls by Jácome Vaccaro.

The sanctuary is attributed to Juan Bargas who built it in 1801. The internal distribution is divided in two by detached Corinthian columns. The chapel had a neo-classicist decoration with an altarpiece of Rodríguez Barreño which had carved capitals, and a jasper tabernacle. The altarpiece was presided by a painting of the "Good Shepherd" of Juan Rodríguez (currently it is in the meeting room). In the superior background is located the "Mystic Lamb" also it is the work of the same painter, and it is one of the ancient elements that the original image of the chapel had, because of, it was redecorated. In this redecoration the altarpiece was removed to put a neo-medieval temple made ​​in France which was donated by the Marquise Carmen Núñez de Villavicencio.

Visit

Schedules: Monday to Saturday, from 10:00 to 18:30.

The price is 5€ each person. (Except the habitants of Jerez: Free entry)

Worship schedule: Sunday at 11:00.

Contact and location

Address: Plaza de la Encarnación

Postal Code: 11403

Telephone:  956 169 059

Website: www.diocesisdejerez.es

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