The gold and silver work of the Catholic Monarchs in the Royal Chapel

In the Royal Chapel of Granada we find different sites such as its temple, its marketplace and its museum. In this last room we can see valuable belongings of Isabella and Ferdinand, including the gold and silver work of the Catholic Monarchs.

Would you like to know more about the gold and silver work of the Catholic Monarchs in the Royal Chapel of Granada? Stay and read this post, we will show you everything you need to know below!

The fate of the Catholic Monarchs' gold and silverware

On 22nd January 1516, Ferdinand II of Aragon stipulated in his will that all his silver and gold jewellery and belongings should be transferred to his funeral chapel in Granada, in order to continue the customs of the Trastámara dynasty and his predecessors. However, he also determined that the pieces that were necessary to cover the various payments or debts that remained after his death would be sold.

In this way, a series of jewels and personal objects belonging to the Catholic Monarchs arrived in Granada, which are now in the safekeeping of the Royal Chapel.

Crown, sceptre and mirror of Isabella the Catholic

It is undeniable that the crown, sceptre and mirror of Queen Isabella attract the attention of visitors to the Royal Chapel of Granada, due to the spectacular nature and good condition of these jewels.

The crown of Isabella the Catholic measures 14 centimetres in diameter and is characterised by its great simplicity, with a plain lower rim and the upper part with intertwined stems, pomegranates and leaves. It is Gothic in style and made of gilded silver.

The sceptre is 1 metre long and has a rhomboidal top with a central cylinder and decorations of overlapping leaves. In addition, we can also glimpse its mirror, which is 72 centimetres high and corresponds to a Renaissance style.

The reliquary and the queen's chest

The Queen's chest is remarkable for its value and beauty. It is made of gilded, embossed and engraved silver. It is divided by means of listels into six spaces with plant and animal themes that are integrated with the relief of the Resurrection of Christ.

The Reliquary of Isabella was also intended to hold the Lignum Crucis decorated with profound symbolic, artistic and religious concepts, which manages to capture the interest of any individual. It is flamboyant Gothic in style, gilded and 37 centimetres high.

The sword of Ferdinand of Aragon

Finally, to get to know all the gold and silver work of the Catholic Monarchs that we can see in the Royal Chapel of Granada, we could not forget to mention the sword of Ferdinand of Aragon.

This work is one of the finest of its time, measuring 92 centimetres long and 4 centimetres wide. Likewise, its pommel is spherical in shape with leaves and a central upper flower.

The hilt is made of gold plate and is completed with medallions, the grip being formed by two truncated cones joined at the broad end. From here two semicircular legs with snake heads emerge.

Why visit the Royal Chapel of Granada

As we have seen throughout this article on the gold and silver work of the Catholic Monarchs, Granada houses personal objects belonging to Isabella and Ferdinand, pieces of great importance in view of the impact of both characters on the history of our country. Thus, in the city of Granada we have a real treasure.

If you would like more information about this monument, do not hesitate to buy tickets for the Royal Chapel of Granada on the official website of the Archdiocese of Granada. Let yourself be surprised by this temple and enjoy all its rooms!