Church of Sancti Spiritus
A masterpiece of Baroque altarpiece in Salamanca. Construction began in 1644 by the assembler Antón Martín, and later, in 1658, was continued by Juan de Rojas. The sculptural part was executed by the brothers Antonio and Andrés de Paz for the church belonging to the Order of Santiago in Salamanca.
This place is the temple of the Monastery of the Comendadoras of Santiago, its altarpiece stands out as the most significant in Salamanca in the first half of the 17th century, along with the altarpiece of the church of San Martín (lost in a fire in 1854), created by Antonio González and Esteban de Rueda. The latter was a reference for numerous altarpieces, including that of Sancti Spiritus. Its relevance lies not only in the architecture but also in its sculpture.
The church of Sancti Spiritus houses within it a jewel of Baroque art that captivates and enchants all who have the fortune to contemplate it. The main altarpiece, an outstanding example of 17th-century artistic mastery.
The altarpiece of Sancti Spiritus stands out for its clean architectural structure in which a large number of reliefs and sculptures are distributed and its resplendent gilding that almost seems to defy gravity in its dynamic display of forms and figures. A kind of sacred theater where each sculpture, each column, and each panel plays a crucial role in the spiritual narrative that unfolds before the faithful.
Thus, each element of the altarpiece has its reason for being, imbued with deep theological symbolism. The images of saints and martyrs are not mere representations, but mediators between the faithful and the sacred. The use of gold would not have, likewise, a merely decorative character, but would symbolize divine light, reflecting the glory of heaven on earth.
The altarpiece as a whole acts as a microcosm where heaven and earth meet, where the human touches the divine. This interaction is essential to understanding the Baroque not only as an artistic style but also as a spiritual experience that seeks to overwhelm, envelop, and elevate the observer.
Despite its extensive and complicated construction process that lasted 15 years (1644-1659), it is recognized as a choral work that involved the collaboration of various masters, counting up to seven in the two phases of the project.
The altarpiece is shown as a turning point between classicism and the effects of the Counter-Reformation, where a rigorous design coexists with a purity of lines and meticulous organization. The sculptural elements invite contemplation that glides between the gilding and vibrant chromatism, culminating in an impressive scenographic balance.
This altarpiece is part of a constellation of Baroque works of art that adorn numerous churches and temples in Salamanca. Each of these works shares the Baroque style as a common thread, characterized by its exuberance, richness in detail, and powerful ability to communicate spiritual and emotional messages in a direct and deeply human way.
Therefore, dear visitor, Salamanca aims for each visit to cultivate in you a new layer of meaning, a fresh opportunity to connect with the past and, through it, with the eternal. Salamanca invites you to be carried away by the greatness of this work, to lose yourself in its details, and to find yourself in the depth of its art.
HOURS
Summer Hours: July 13 to September 8 | Tuesday to Sunday: 11:00 am to 1:30 pm and 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm
ACCESS
Free access
LOCATION
Cuesta de Sancti-Spiritus, 24. 37001
PLAN DE SOSTENIBILIDAD TURÍSTICA DE SALAMANCA
