LA CONCEPCION

THE CHURCH OF LA CONCEPCIÓN

It is always advisable to walk around the narrow roads full of charm and nice surprises in the centre of the historical setting. To discover the houses of La Acequia road or the Toste one, or to observe the Parochial House situated in Cantillo de abajo road is an itinerary worth doing.

By coming down Guillerme Camacho and Pérez Galdós road becomes visible the squire that surrounds the Church of La Concepción, the second most important in the municipality.

An old Hermitage dedicated to Our Lady, build in the XVI century, was the predecessor of the current church of the three naves. Its last construction stage dates between 1697 and 1701. A fire taking place in 1978 destroyed the whole building, losing forever its precious covered ceilings of Mudejar origin, baroque and neo – classical altarpieces, like the one of Our Lady of El Rosario, Sculptures from different schools, like the one of Our Lady of La Candelaria, by Martínez Montañéz, or that of Our Lady of the Afflicted, ascribed to Martín de Andújar, as well as the cancases which recalled the paintbrush of the Canarian painter Hernández de Quintana (+1725), among them we emphasise the picture Ánimas, which shared the altar which the carving of St Michael the Archangel (XVI century).

Two Mary images were recovered, the one of Our Lady of El Rosario and La Dolorosa. The first one is likely to have come out of the workshop of Pereira, sculptor of Madrid of the XVII century. La Dolorosa, work of art which was probably made by Rodríguez de la Oliva (+1777), was a part of the

Calvary located in the nave of the Gospel. The pieces of craftsmanship which could be rescued from the fire are also importand and among them we stand out the Franciscan gilded silver custody, of the second half of the XVIII century, and the processional Cross, made in 1563 by Francisco de Soto.

The above – mentioned fire did not seriously affect the stonework doors; the lateral door shows a classical pediment over pilasters which are very similar to the Portuguese manuelino ones.

The door corresponding to the Gospel nave presents in its upper section two – raised pattern busts, inside two stone medallions, that according to the tradition symbolize Alonso Fernández de Lugo and king Bencomo. The small Gothic door with a cone arch that belonged to the ancient vestry is worth mentioning too.

The tower, which was raised in the main front, was moved to the southern flank of the building after its restoration. It was open again to workshop in 1993. Nowadays it is the target of a reproduction plan of imagery and altarpieces.

The stairs located in the left side of square were built lead to the gardens where we find two splendid samples of dragon tree, so called “Twin Dragon Tree” because of their resemblance.

Once on the road we must turn right to go along La Alhóndiga road.