The Main Chapel of the Monastery of San Jerónimo in Granada

The church of the Monastery of San Jerónimo in Granada is one of the most impressive Renaissance constructions in Spain, standing out for its beauty and its history. For this reason, it is important to discover the most interesting facts about the Main Chapel of the Monastery of San Jerónimo.

Would you like to know in depth the elements and peculiarities of the Main Chapel of the Monastery of San Jerónimo? Stay and read our article, we show you everything you need to know below!

Construction of the Main Chapel of the Monastery of San Jerónimo de Granada

The Monastery of San Jerónimo was founded by the Catholic Monarchs, although the definitive impetus for its construction had much to do with the actions of Doña María Manrique, Duchess of Sessa and Terranova, who became the widow of Don Fernando González de Córdoba, known as the Great Captain.

Doña María Manrique, through patronage, asked Charles V for the concession of the main altar of the Monastery of San Jerónimo with the intention of converting it into a family pantheon.

Initially, the construction of the Royal Chapel was carried out by Jacobo Lazzaro di Petro Torni, who had previously worked on the Royal Chapel in Granada. However, after his death, Diego de Siloé took over the reins.

It should be noted that the Duchess died before the works were completed, so her grandson and heir was unable to finance the funerary monuments of the Gran Capitán and his wife, which were never completed.

Location of the Main Chapel

The location of the Main Chapel is not a coincidence; everything has been completely thought out and established. It is situated on a staircase so that the views from the choir loft are perfect. In this way, when the monks went about their daily duties, they took centre stage and nothing obstructed their view.

Furthermore, if we look up, this Main Chapel has a barrel vault in its initial part, followed by an oven vault where we can see figures and reliefs of apostles, angels and warrior saints to whom the family of the dukes were devoted.

Altarpiece from the Main Chapel of the Monastery of San Jerónimo in Granada

The author of the altarpiece in the Main Chapel of the Monastery of San Jerónimo is still unknown, although we do know that the first painter to work on the altarpiece was Juan de Aragón.

Likewise, personalities such as Diego de Navas, Bernabé de Gabiria, Pablo de Rojas, Diego Pesquera, Lázaro de Velasco, Alonso Rivero de Jaén, Luis Fernández, Francisco Castillejo de Sevilla, Miguel Sánchez de Córdoba and Pedro Orea, among others, participated in its creation.

For this reason, over the years the altarpiece was modified and new sections were added until it reached nine sections organised into a sotobanco, bench, four sections and attic, through which the life of Christ is recounted. Thus, the first section is Doric, the second Ionic, the third Corinthian and the fourth composite.

Regarding the attic, it represents God accompanied by the saints Justo and Pastor, and by the Theological Virtues (Faith, Hope and Charity) together with the Cardinal Virtues (Prudence, Fortitude, Justice and Temperance).

Outside the altarpiece there are also the praying sculptures of the Gran Capitán and the Duchess María Enrique.

The family pantheon of the Great Captain

The remains of the Gran Capitán's family were eventually placed in a crypt beneath the church of the Monastery of San Jerónimo, but during the French invasion the tomb was desecrated.

In response to this event, a monk collected the bones that remained there and gave them to the Academy of Noble Arts, passing through various locations such as the Pantheon of Illustrious Men in Madrid. In 1874 they were returned to Granada.

Why visit the Monastery of San Jerónimo in Granada?

As you have seen throughout this article about the Main Chapel of the Monastery of San Jerónimo, its history and the great artists who worked on it have turned it into a great work capable of impressing and delighting all its visitors.

Would you like to know more about the Monastery of San Jerónimo in Granada? Buy your tickets on the official website of the Archdiocese of Granada and enjoy this beautiful monument!