YDB
Located in front of the Andrés Eloy Blanco Square, Santa Capilla church, designated as basilica in 1926, was conceived as a replica of Paris’ Sainte Chapelle, the Middle Ages, a regal gothic temple was a community spiritual center and sanctuary for the many devotees that came to worship the Lord, the Virgin and the Holy Sacrament. This building, replacing the old Chapel of San Sebastián built by order of Diego de Losada in 1568, and whose name was changed to San Mauricio in 1640, began to be built in February 1883. Reformed on several occasions (1889, 1910 and 1921), the basilica has neogothic elements on its façade and has three naves, separated by rows of columns supporting ogive arches. The choir is located over the main entrance and under the central tower, while the presbytery is located at the back of the central nave. The main portal has three sections defined by the naves, each one with access openings with ogive arches. The center one is the largest and stands out because of its needle spire on the central tower. Its façade displays a large rose window, and the altar, large stained-glass windows and a painting by Arturo Michelena (1863-1898) called «The multiplication of the loaves» (1897) are highlights of its lavishly decorated interior. It was declared a National Historic Monument in 1979.
DF-21