The ceiling at the Iglesia de San Luis de los Franceses in Seville, Spain.
One of the finest examples of Baroque architecture in Seville, San Luis de los Franceses (known simply as San Luis) is an extravagantly decorated circular church in the Macarena district.
Located in the street of the same name, the church of San Luis was completed in 1730 and is dedicated to King Louis IX of France, cousin of King Fernando III of Castile and Leon (aka San Fernando of Seville – his statue is in Plaza Nueva). It recently underwent an extensive 10-year renovation, reopening to the public in 2016; the private chapel and crypt can also be visited.
Part of a Jesuit novitiate (complex of buildings where novice monks live and study) that also included a residence and school, the church has a baroque façade of brick and stone, decorated with carving like a retablo (altarpiece), and also featuring solomonic (twisted) columns, two towers and a dome. Originally a plaza was going to be built in front of the church, so that the façade could be appreciated - like Plaza del Salvador - but this never materialised.
Inside, the deconsecrated church is a Greek cross shape with a cupola and 16 solomonic columns (so that effectively it feels circular). Your attention is immediately grabbed by four extravagantly carved and heavily gilted retablos, inset with paintings – King Louis IX’s image is topped by a huge crown. The effect is 360-degree dramatic and theatrical - typical Sevillano baroque.
The Sevillano architect Leonardo de Figueroa, who designed San Luis, was also responsible for such renowned buildings in the city as Palacio San Telmo, Hospital de la Caridad and Hospital de los Venerables, as well as the façade of El Salvador church, while the retablos are by Pedro Duque Cornejo, of the Roldan sculptor family.
The ceiling at the Iglesia de San Luis de los Franceses in Seville, Spain.
One of the finest examples of Baroque architecture in Seville, San Luis de los Franceses (known simply as San Luis) is an extravagantly decorated circular church in the Macarena district.
Located in the street of the same name, the church of San Luis was completed in 1730 and is dedicated to King Louis IX of France, cousin of King Fernando III of Castile and Leon (aka San Fernando of Seville – his statue is in Plaza Nueva). It recently underwent an extensive 10-year renovation, reopening to the public in 2016; the private chapel and crypt can also be visited.
Part of a Jesuit novitiate (complex of buildings where novice monks live and study) that also included a residence and school, the church has a baroque façade of brick and stone, decorated with carving like a retablo (altarpiece), and also featuring solomonic (twisted) columns, two towers and a dome. Originally a plaza was going to be built in front of the church, so that the façade could be appreciated - like Plaza del Salvador - but this never materialised.
Inside, the deconsecrated church is a Greek cross shape with a cupola and 16 solomonic columns (so that effectively it feels circular). Your attention is immediately grabbed by four extravagantly carved and heavily gilted retablos, inset with paintings – King Louis IX’s image is topped by a huge crown. The effect is 360-degree dramatic and theatrical - typical Sevillano baroque.
The Sevillano architect Leonardo de Figueroa, who designed San Luis, was also responsible for such renowned buildings in the city as Palacio San Telmo, Hospital de la Caridad and Hospital de los Venerables, as well as the façade of El Salvador church, while the retablos are by Pedro Duque Cornejo, of the Roldan sculptor family.