Restoration of the Church of San Nicolás in Granada

The Church of San Nicolás in Granada has undergone several restoration processes over the years. It is located in the heart of the Albaicín, in one of the most visited places by tourists and by the citizens themselves. It is known as the Mirador de San Nicolás.

The Church of San Nicolás in Granada

A work attributed to Rodrigo Hernández, built in 1525 in the Mudejar style in one of the most visited places in the province of Granada. It was built over an earlier mosque of which only the cistern remains. It consists of a central nave with a rectangular floor plan and adjoining side chapels. The square tower was built in 1543.

During 1932 there were several attempts to burn it down, and the Mudejar-style roof was lost. The vault was able to resist for three more years, until it finally collapsed.

All its deterioration led to actions to try to prevent further damage, such as, for example, the clause of the presbytery, the limitation of worship or the cessation of any activity inside.

In the spring of 2011, various pathologies were discovered, such as cracks in the load-bearing walls, numerous water ingresses in the roofs and damage to the walling caissons. It should be noted that the main pathologies were due to the presence of damp and the state of the roofs.

The restoration

In December 2011, provisional emergency work was carried out following the partial collapse of the roof of the main altar. The tile and the deteriorated framework were replaced with a metal structure and a corrugated iron roof.

The works were resumed in 2016, where a comprehensive intervention was carried out on the vault, the roof, the interior and exterior cladding, the carpentry and the flooring. Similarly, work was carried out on the tower and the bell tower, with the aim of facilitating access to the tower. The tower of the Church of San Nicolás offers marvellous views from where we can contemplate a large part of the kingdom of Granada.

This work had a great progress at the end of the year 2020, where the tower and both main façades could already be part of the visual enjoyment. On the other hand, work continued on the interior, as well as on the dome of the main chapel.

All this information was made known through the social network Facebook through the Friends of San Nicolás Association, who were informing about the progress of the work.

This association was set up in 2012 for the recovery of the church. It was promoted by the journalist Enrique Seijas. Since then, they have been raising funds by showing the church or directly from donations made by people willing to collaborate in this cause.

In the same way, every year they held a photography competition and a Friends of San Nicolás Awards Ceremony. The aim was to raise awareness of the importance of the rehabilitation of the church and its restoration. It is true that it is the Archbishopric of Granada that has provided the most financial support for this, which has been key, together with the collaboration of people and the faithful.

Did you know that the tower of the Church of San Nicolás is now open? You can go up and see a magnificent panoramic view of the city of Granada and the Alhambra and fall even more in love with it.

Buy your ticket online and book your visit to the Tower of the Church of San Nicolás.