Church of Santiago and Saint John the Baptist

The Church of Santiago and San Juan Bautista, located in the historic heart of Madrid, is a fascinating example of religious architecture and art, with a history dating back to the Middle Ages. Its current architectural form, designed by Juan Antonio Cuervo, was completed in 1811 to replace two medieval churches: San Juan Bautista and Santiago. The decision to demolish these churches to make way for the urban project of Giuseppe Bonaparte, who wanted to expand the spaces around the Royal Palace, led to the creation of a new place of worship that united the two parishes in a single structure. The facade of the church is a sober example of neoclassical style, made with traditional materials from Madrid such as brick and granite. The Tuscan order pillars, the frieze decorated with triglyphs, and the triangular pediment give the building an elegant simplicity, while the relief above the main entrance, depicting Santiago in the battle of Clavijo, adds an element of historical drama. The interior of the church is designed with an irregular Greek cross plan and a large central space topped by a drumless dome. This architectural configuration creates an effect of spaciousness and brightness that envelops visitors, accentuated by the Ionic pillars that divide the spaces. The semicircular presbytery and the side chapels house a series of valuable works of art. The main altar is adorned with an extraordinary painting by Francisco Rizi depicting Santiago Matamoros. This work is a masterpiece of Spanish baroque, with its dynamism and the liveliness of the figures. Next to it, a painting by Juan Carreño de Miranda depicts the Baptism of Christ, another testimony of the great artistic tradition hosted in this church. Among the sculptures, there are remarkable works such as a San Juan niño, attributed to Pedro Roldán, and a Virgen de la Esperanza by Francisco Bellver. These works, along with numerous frescoes and paintings from the 19th century by artists such as Mariano Salvador Maella and Francisco Bayeu, further enrich the sacred environment. The church is also home to the Brotherhood of the Santo Entierro, one of the oldest brotherhoods in Madrid, founded in 1412. This brotherhood organizes solemn processions during Holy Week, carrying the images of the Santo Entierro and the Virgen de los Siete Dolores through the city streets, events that attract thousands of faithful and tourists. Over the centuries, the church has undergone numerous restorations and modifications to preserve its structure and its works of art. Among the most significant restorations, those led by Joaquín Rojí have ensured the stability of the building and the preservation of its original decorations. An interesting anecdote concerns the bell in the tower, which has a curious history. It is said that the current bell was cast using the metal from the bells of the demolished churches of San Juan Bautista and Santiago, thus creating a tangible symbol of the fusion of the two parishes.