The San Francisco Church, built at the end of the SEVENTEENTH century, is an imposing temple of the baroque style in the convent that now houses a unique exhibition of the Holy Week calagurritana, declared a Festival of National Tourist Interest. of This church, which was originally part of the former convent of San Francisco, stands out not only for its architectural value, but also by the rich tradition of religious houses.
The building has a single nave of four bays, a transept and a bedside rectangular, covered by a vault of luneto, the dome and on the cruise. The pilasters are of the tuscan style, which gives the interior of the temple a great sobriety and harmony. Although much of the temple has undergone modifications over the centuries, the main altar and the chapel of the Immaculate Conception retain their original design.
One of the biggest attractions of the church is the exposure of the Steps of Holy Week managed by the Confraternity of Santa Vera Cruz. It is exhibit 14 of the 19 steps to take part in processions of the city. These sizes of high quality and antiquity, many of them performed in the prestigious workshop in Olot (Girona), reflect the wealth and religious devotion of Calahorra.
In what was originally the chapel of the holy Cross, you have installed the so-called Monte Sacro, a staging miniature of twelve scenes of public life of Christ, his death and resurrection. This work, with 70 figures of great realism, was carried out by the recognized master of jerez José Joaquín Pérez and is a unique representation in the north of Spain.
The church, which forms part of an area historically important of Calahorra, was built on what was the ancient citadel of the city, a strategic place since the time of the Roman Empire. It was in this area where the bishops of the city elected their residence, and where, in 1366, he was proclaimed king Enrique II of Castile, great-great-grandfather of the Catholic Monarchs.
Today, the Church of San Francisco is not only a reference to cultural and religious, but also a place to visit for those interested in the history and traditions of Calahorra, especially during the celebrations of the Holy Week.
