The main altarpiece of the Royal Chapel

The main altarpiece of the Royal Chapel of Granada is another of the many highlights of this great monument of the Nasrid city.

The Royal Chapel is a great tourist attraction for the city, which is growing over the years. Today we tell you all about one of its most impressive elements, its main altarpiece.

The main altarpiece of the Royal Chapel

The main altarpiece was the work of Philip Bigarny between 1520 and 1522. It has been considered one of the greatest Plateresque altarpieces carved in Spain, as well as one of the first. 

We can observe a mixture of Gothic and Renaissance styles, as well as a reflection of the transition between medieval and modern times.

It represents an iconographic ensemble that symbolically expresses three concepts of unity. Likewise, it is framed on the basis of three nuclei with their own thematic unity:

1. Religious. There are scenes from the life of Jesus Christ.
2. Political. Through representations of the saints John, the Baptist and the Evangelist.
3. Territorial. Through iconographies of the Catholic Monarchs and their work.

Iconographic ensemble

Starting from the lower part and in a structured manner, the main altarpiece of the Royal Chapel consists of a soffit, bench, two sections and an attic. 

In the lower part of the altarpiece, the sotabanco, we can observe two local events that took place during the reign of the Catholic Monarchs by means of staged scenes. 

On the left of the sotabanco we can see the Catholic Monarchs with the Christian armies and King Boabdil handing over the keys to the city of Granada in 1492. On the other side, on the right, we can see the baptism of the Moors in 1500.

In the area of the bench, we can contemplate, as the central and main image, the Virgin and Child, adored by the Three Wise Men. To the left are representations of the Baptism of Jesus, and to the right, Saint John on the island of Patmos.

Looking from the left, the lower body depicts the martyrdom of St. John the Baptist, St. John the Baptist with the lamb, St. John the Evangelist with a chalice and his martyrdom. In the upper body is Jesus Christ with the cross on his shoulders, the Calvary, the Pietà or the Fifth Anguish.

The three divine Persons of the Trinity are represented at the top of the altarpiece, the attic. The bust of God the Father as an old man with the globe and his right hand in a gesture of speaking is in the highest place. On the other hand, below it is the image of the Son of God nailed to the cross, as well as the Holy Spirit symbolising the traditional form of the dove.

Finally, let us finish with the external side streets. Both begin from the bottom to the top with Peter and Paul followed by the Evangelists. These are crowned by the four Fathers of the Western Church, St. Gregory, St. Jerome, St. Ambrose and St. Augustine.

In short, the iconography represents the three great Christian mysteries, the Trinity, the Incarnation of the Son of God and the Passion and Death of Our Lord.

Finally, it is necessary to highlight the pomegranate as an ornamental motif, the image of which has been used to express the unity and diversity of the Church since the 4th century.

Buy your tickets for the Royal Chapel of Granada

As we have seen throughout this article on the main altarpiece of the Royal Chapel of Granada, this element emerges as an artistic jewel that fuses the mastery of Philip Bigarny with the symbolic richness of Plateresque iconography. 

This monumental artistic ensemble not only exudes exceptional aesthetics, but also encapsulates in its essence the deepest Christian mysteries.

If you would like to visit this beautiful temple, you can buy your tickets to the Royal Chapel of Granada through our official website of the Archdiocese of Granada.

Let yourself be surprised by this site and enjoy its great beauty!