Santo Domingo Church

It is located in a square at Realejo neighborhood, in whose center we can find a statue of Fray Luis de Granada. The church started being built in 1512 as part of Santa Cruz la Real Convent. The work followed Gothic style, as can be seen through its arches and ribbed vaults, but it also meets more architectural styles such as the Renaissance and Baroque, which makes it one of the most interesting buildings in Granada. It was seat for Inquisition Court.

Exterior

The main facade has two bodies. The front is dominated by a stone portico as a lodge, the lower body consists of three tall round arches, supported on Doric columns and a high plinth. In the spandrels, the initials of Catholic Monarchs can be seen.

All the parament facing the portico is decorated with a painting of a figurative architecture, known as "trompe l'oeil”. It features, in the primary niche, an image of the Virgin del Rosario, head of the church.

The second body is a window framed by a rounded arch in whose spandrels two figures representing victory can be seen. The window opening is divided into two smaller arches and the facade is crowned with royal crests. The temple belfry is located in the main façade side.

Interior

It has latin cross plan with five chapels on each side, rib vaulting and rosettes. The entrance arches in the first three chapels are Gothic and the remaining are rounded. The central crossing with tiara-shaped dome was built in the seventeenth century and is adorned with Byzantine and baroque decorative elements. The exterior is covered with polychrome tiles.

Main chapel

It is presided by a colored marble tabernacle, made in 1699. This type of altar was designed to place the Eucharist in a monstrance and expose it to the adoration of the faithful. Nowadays this place is occupied by a crucifix.

The Altarpieces

The altarpiece of the Virgin del Rosario is one of the most beautiful baroque altarpieces of Granada. It was conducted by Blas Antonio Moreno in the first half of the eighteenth century. The iconographic program features the representation of the fourteen Mysteries of the Rosary through medallions and bas-reliefs and a great amount of angels and cherubs "hovering" among the large pillasters and other architectural elements.
The Altarpiece of Saint Scholastica is a Baroque work which houses the image of Saint Scholastica, a sixteenth-century image ascribed to the sculptor Pablo de Rojas.

San Jose altarpiece was performed in the seventeenth century but its author is unknown. In the central niche we can find the beautiful sculpture of the saint carrying Baby Jesus in his arms. Baby Jesus image is not the original. In the attic of the altarpiece there is an oval oil painting depicting Saint Alberto Magno and his pupil Saint Tomas de Aquino.

The altarpiece of Santo Domingo is a Baroque altarpiece of two bodies located to the right of the crossing, made by Francisco Hurtado between 1669 and 1725. The first body is presided by the image of Santo Domingo de Guzman, work of Alonso de Mena, set in a glazed central niche flanked by three Salomonic columns on each side. In the second section, the images of Saint Vicente Ferrer and Saint Pedro Martir stand out, along with a painting depicting Jesus Maniatado, flanked by two pairs of Salomonic columns. The attic is presided by a cross and two children with passion attributes.

Virgin of the Rosary Chapel
The image of the Virgin del Rosario is a candlestick picture dressed in fine clothes. It was performed in the eighteenth century, of unknown author. It enjoys great devotion among the people of Granada, being co-patron saint of the city.

The Lady-Chapel is attributed to Jose de Bada, who finished it by the year 1773. It falls within the Granada Rococo style and is part of those known as Lady-Chapel-Tower. To build it, they had to buy a piece of the adjacent house, thus remaining as independent from the rest of the temple. It consists of four rooms with covered domed roofs decorated with paintings of angels and clouds.

The Lady Chapel or main room that houses the image is square plan and is covered with a dome supported on scallops adorned with beautiful crystals that multiply the reflections of the Virgin. The light from these units is intended to provide a heavenly atmosphere for the devotee looking at it. The iconography is referring to the Battle of Lepanto, closely related to this dedication, as it was the victory in this battle against the Ottoman Empire the reason why the Pope set on Oct. 7 the feast of the Virgin del Rosario.

The Chapels of Santo Domingo

The Chapel of Hope is a spacious chapel of great artistic value. Its altarpiece dates from the seventeenth century and is related to the Castilian Baroque style, created by Jose de Churriguera. The Virgin de la Expectacion or Virgin de la O, a work performed in carved and polychrome alabaster presides the chapel. It is of unknown authorship, dating from the sixteenth century. Legend has it that the image appeared in Sierra Nevada and was given to the Dominicans in 1558. The altarpiece is traced by oil paintings with scenes of the life of the Virgin. The attic is surmounted with the emblem of Hail Mary crowned.

The Chapel of Cristo de la Expiracion, of Renaissance style, is datable to the sixteenth century. A Christ dating from the end of the sixteenth century belonging to mannerist Castilian school stands out.

In Chapel of La Soledad de Nuestra Señora stands out, on a beautiful temple, the carving of the Virgin of Soledad sitting at the foot of the cross, made by Manuel Gonzalez in the late eighteenth century. The sculpture, with a great plasticity, foreshadows some Neoclassic features. At the foot of the Virgin, there is an angel carrying pliers, a Passion symbol. The chapel is completed by a series of Flemish tables with Passion scenes.

In the Chapel of the Virgin del Transito the death of the Virgin is represented, known as the Dormicion or Transit. The Virgin appears lying on a rich crown canopy bed with closed eyes and, around her, made in a smaller size and terracotta, the Apostles and several angels. Also in this chapel the image of Jesus of Humility and Patience, a Baroque work attributed to Bernardo de Mora can be found. The image is sheltered in a Neoclassical altarpiece as a shrine, which allows to appreciate Christ’s perfect anatomy. Christ appears seated on a rock, handcuffed and carrying a cane in His hands. It comes complete with a series of canvases in which Cristo de la Animas, San Bernardo, Santa Ana and the Asuncion are represented.

Santa Catalina Chapel is outstanding due to an altarpiece dating from the eighteenth Century. The central niche is occupied by the image of Santa Catalina of Siena, flanked by San Raimundo of Penafort and Santa Rosa de Lima, works by Pablo de Rojas. In front of this altar, the image of Cristo Yacente is situated, the work of Felipe Gomez Valencia, also made in the seventeenth century.

In the Chapel of Santo Tomas de Aquino, the image of Santo Tomas, the work of Diego de Mora in the seventeenth century, presides the baroque altarpiece of the chapel. In the side sections, we can find the sculptures of San Antonio de Padua and San Alvaro de Cordoba.
The altarpiece in San Vicente Ferrer Chapel is Baroque and, in its central niche, has the statue of San Vicente Ferrer. On both sides there are wall paintings representing scenes of the life of the Saint.

The Chapel of Dulce Nombre de Jesus, with its baroque altarpiece houses in its central niche an eighteenth-century image of Baby Jesus, who carries in his left hand a cross and with his other hand blesses the devotees. On the sides, there are images of Santa Margarita of Hungary and Santa Ines. The chapel corresponds to a first construction built in the sixteenth century.

In the Chapel of the Holy Supper and the Virgin de la Victoria, there is a splendid mystery of the Last Supper of Christ and the Virgin de la Victoria, works of Espinosa Cuadros from the early twentieth century.

We recommend:

Room Mate Shalma is located downtown, in Realejo area, one of the most important neighborhoods of the city. Its facade and interior have been completely restored. It is a short walk away from the tapas bars, restaurants, theater and the Campo del Principe, and yet very close to the monuments. It is a privileged place to enjoy the history, art and the tranquility of this wonderful city.