History of the Royal Chapel of Granada

The Royal Chapel of Granada is one of the most important historical sites in Spain, housing the remains of the Catholic Monarchs. It is located in the centre of the city and is one of the most visited monuments to see in Granada, so it is important to know the history of the Royal Chapel of Granada.

Do you want to know the most important milestones of the Royal Chapel of Granada? We tell you about them below!

Origin of the Royal Chapel of Granada

It was on 13 September 1504 when Isabella and Ferdinand of Aragon wanted their remains to be housed in Granada. For this reason, they created the Royal Chapel by Royal Charter, which involved the construction, decoration and furnishing of a building where symbolism and message are set. 

It was built between 1505 and 1517, and was dedicated to the Holy Johns, St. John the Baptist and St. John the Evangelist. It is Gothic in style.

On 10 November 1521, the bodies of the Catholic Monarchs were transferred to the sepulchral crypt, in accordance with their last wishes.

The Royal Chapel is a reflection of the history of Spain, of the Church and of artistic and cultural evolution. It was during the 16th century that the Royal Chapel reached its peak in three stages:

1. Its birth with its creation during the Queen's lifetime and its construction during the King's lifetime.
2. It continued to flourish with the Emperor Charles I, whose temple was adorned and enlarged. It marks the end of a dynasty and the appearance of the Renaissance.
3. It ends with Philip II.

The actions of Ferdinand VI

During the first fifty years of the 17th century there was nothing new and a decline began that lasted throughout the second part of this century, as well as the first part of the 18th century. 

Therefore, it was not until the middle of the 18th century that a new resurgence of the Chapel appeared, where Ferdinand VI proposed to re-establish as far as possible the decadence of the Royal Chapel of Granada and its endowments and to perpetuate the memory of the Catholic Monarchs of Granada in a more decorous manner.

The end of the 18th century and the first half of the 19th century brought with it various political changes, economic difficulties and the modification of the Church-State relationship.

It was not until the 20th century that historiographical, artistic, archival and musical interest in the Chapel grew, with the creation of the Chapter Museum by Royal Decree in 1913. On the other hand, the international projection of the Chapel has been supported by this and by the departure of some of its works for exhibitions abroad, where the collection of Flemish painting was particularly valued.

Reforms and conservation

In 1985, important events took place with regard to the movable and immovable heritage of the Royal Chapel of Granada. On the exterior, the roofs were renovated and the walls, crestings and pinnacles were restored. 

Similarly, the interior walls were also restored, and the sacristy-museum and the Lonja were completely refurbished, as well as the main altarpiece, the mausoleums and the grilles. 

Most of the sculptures and paintings were restored.

Why visit the Royal Chapel of Granada?

As we have seen throughout this article on the history of the Royal Chapel of Granada, this temple is an important image of the Church and the City of Granada, whose tourist interest is growing. 

The attention that the Catholic Queen attracts the spiritual sense of the visit, as well as the Cabildo, historical, artistic and religious deposit that tries to maintain, restore and transmit it.

If you would like to visit this monument, do not hesitate to buy your tickets to the Royal Chapel of Granada on our official website of the Archdiocese of Granada.

Let yourself be amazed by the beauty of this site and enjoy all its rooms!