Church of Santa Maria de la Alhambra
Church of Santa Maria de la Alhambra
Church of Santa Maria de la Alhambra
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Neighbourhood: Realejo - San Matias
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4.0
111 reviews
Excellent
24
Very good
51
Average
33
Poor
3
Terrible
0
Mikael F
Helsinki, Finland31,149 contributions
Mar 2023
This bulky-looking church was built on the site of Alhambra's Great Mosque next to the palace baths.
The Mudejar-style church was completed in 1607. The interior is quite dark and modest compared to many other churches in Granada.
The Mudejar-style church was completed in 1607. The interior is quite dark and modest compared to many other churches in Granada.
Written 2 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Raintree_Thailand
Bangkok, Thailand4,287 contributions
May 2024 • Couples
There is so much to see at Alhambra that most visitors ignore the Church of Santa Maria de la Alhambra. We pretty much did the same, although we admired the stately bell tower framed by trees and greenery. The church was built on the site of former mosque in the early 17th century.
Written 12 June 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Con-Mara
Ireland236 contributions
May 2016 • Couples
Most of the Alhambra is open to the public and free to enter. One of the highlights is the Church of Santa Maria, adjacent to the Palace of Charles V.
Located beside the palace, the simplicity of the brick and stone construction is in stark contrast to the massive carved stones of the palace. However, inside the Church, the Baroque altar and shrines leave the inside of the palace appear dull.
The tabernacle is surmounted by a small carved pieta, the centrepiece of a gilded carved reredos, including four Solomonic Columns below, and two smaller ones above. The main altar is decorated with the four evangelists in striking poses, John and Mark on the left (Eagle and Lion), with Matthew and Luke on the right (Man and Ox).
There are two side chapels, one depicting Saint Joseph and the child Jesus, while the other depicts the moment when following his scourging, Jesus was presented to the Jews with the words, Ecce Homo – Behold the Man.
Located beside the palace, the simplicity of the brick and stone construction is in stark contrast to the massive carved stones of the palace. However, inside the Church, the Baroque altar and shrines leave the inside of the palace appear dull.
The tabernacle is surmounted by a small carved pieta, the centrepiece of a gilded carved reredos, including four Solomonic Columns below, and two smaller ones above. The main altar is decorated with the four evangelists in striking poses, John and Mark on the left (Eagle and Lion), with Matthew and Luke on the right (Man and Ox).
There are two side chapels, one depicting Saint Joseph and the child Jesus, while the other depicts the moment when following his scourging, Jesus was presented to the Jews with the words, Ecce Homo – Behold the Man.
Written 30 June 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BennyMalaga
Malaga, Spain89,732 contributions
July 2011 • Couples
The Church of Santa Maria de la Alhambra is located at Calle Real de la Alhambra. In 1308 the Moorish King Mohamed III built a mezquita in the Alhambra. When the Christians conquered Granada, they destroyed the mezquita and built the Church of Santa Maria de la Alhambra. This was a common practice at that time and occurred in many places all over Spain. The church was designated as the first cathedral of Granada, but later lost this designation when the Granada Cathedral was constructed. This church is located beside the Carlos V Palace.
The church was designed by Juan de Herrera in the Renaissance style and was started in 1581 by Ambrosio de Vico and finished in 1617. The ground plan follows the Latin cross, with one central nave and with three chapels on each side of the nave. There is also an elegant bell tower. The facade of the church is made of brick and stone. The pulpit was created by Martin de Aranda and there is a baptismal font in the form of a shell, which used to be the base of a Moorish fountain. This dates back to the 13th to 15th centuries.
The main altar is Baroque in style and was the work of Juan Lopez Almagro, created in 1671. There are four large Solomonic columns on its facade. The center of the altarpiece is occupied by a sculpture of Our Lady of Anguish. On top of this image is a large Crucifixion that was created by the sculptor Alonso de Mena in 1634. On each side of the sculpture of Our Lady of Anguish is the sculpture of Santa Ursula and Santa Susana, also by Alonso de Mena.
In the chapel on the left side of the main altar is a sculpture of Ecce Homo (Christ) that was made by Pedro de Mena. In the right chapel there is a sculpture of St. Joseph and the Christ Child, created by the sculptor Turcuato Ruiz de Peral. On the left side of the nave is a throne of the Cofradia de Santa Maria de la Alhambra that is used for Holy Week processions. This throne is a model of the Alhambra done in silver and gold. On top of it is placed the statue of Our Lady of Anguish.
The church was designed by Juan de Herrera in the Renaissance style and was started in 1581 by Ambrosio de Vico and finished in 1617. The ground plan follows the Latin cross, with one central nave and with three chapels on each side of the nave. There is also an elegant bell tower. The facade of the church is made of brick and stone. The pulpit was created by Martin de Aranda and there is a baptismal font in the form of a shell, which used to be the base of a Moorish fountain. This dates back to the 13th to 15th centuries.
The main altar is Baroque in style and was the work of Juan Lopez Almagro, created in 1671. There are four large Solomonic columns on its facade. The center of the altarpiece is occupied by a sculpture of Our Lady of Anguish. On top of this image is a large Crucifixion that was created by the sculptor Alonso de Mena in 1634. On each side of the sculpture of Our Lady of Anguish is the sculpture of Santa Ursula and Santa Susana, also by Alonso de Mena.
In the chapel on the left side of the main altar is a sculpture of Ecce Homo (Christ) that was made by Pedro de Mena. In the right chapel there is a sculpture of St. Joseph and the Christ Child, created by the sculptor Turcuato Ruiz de Peral. On the left side of the nave is a throne of the Cofradia de Santa Maria de la Alhambra that is used for Holy Week processions. This throne is a model of the Alhambra done in silver and gold. On top of it is placed the statue of Our Lady of Anguish.
Written 14 May 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
FTMDave
Adria, Italy7,625 contributions
Aug 2020
This 17th-century church once used to be a mosque. Free to enter, part of the Alhambra complex. OK, very much a secondary attraction, but if you're in the Alhambra anyway it's worth a look.
Written 5 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Anonymous J
Sweden5 contributions
Aug 2019 • Solo
It’s a shame that it was changed from mosque to a church. Spanish government should change it back to a mosque!
Written 12 July 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Malcolm McD
Glasgow, UK438 contributions
Dec 2019
The Church of Santa Maria de la Alhambra is situated in a very prominent spot in the Alhambra complex. This imposing church is an historic architectural gem.
Written 6 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BonnieNimmo
Marble Falls, TX1,174 contributions
June 2019 • Family
We stopped in to visit this gorgeous and historic church and were amazed. We took no photographs because there were several signs posted to not do so. But the detail inside this church is amazing and we especially appreciated the security reminding everyone to take their hats off. Go stroll through this church.
Written 22 June 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ANGELO V
Milan, Italy4,575 contributions
May 2019 • Solo
The church of Santa Maria de la Alhambra is on a small square close to the Palace of Carlos V in the Alhambra complex.
It's a nice church with an interesting baroque retablo.
It's a nice church with an interesting baroque retablo.
Written 17 May 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Usha65
Hyderabad, India1,889 contributions
Oct 2018 • Friends
During our guided and walking tour to Alhambra palace in Granada, we also happened to visit this church, though we could no go inside. It is a wonderful historical building and even the out side architecture is so attractive.
Written 31 October 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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