June 7 Guided tour of the church of Santiago in Jumilla

This majestic church in Jumilla was built in the 15th and 19th centuries

There is a rare chance on Sunday 7th June to enjoy a guided tour (in Spanish) of the majestic church known as the Iglesia Mayor de Santiago in the centre of Jumilla, beginning at 11.00 in the Constitución and including not only the building itself but also the immediate surroundings.

The church dedicated to the Apostle Santiago is probably the most iconic building in the town itself (although it is overshadowed by the castle that stands above), and although construction began as early as the 15th century the truth is that it could still be viewed as “work in progress” until well into the 19th.

The church can even be seen on the poster advertising the medieval market which is being held in Jumilla during the Moors and Christians festivities from 6th to 14th June!

As a result it contains a compendium of different architectural styles: the main nave and side chapels, which are reported to have been started between 1447 and 1454, are representative of the late Gothic trends of the 15th century, while in the main chapel the work of architect Jerónimo Quijano shows many of the influences of the Renaissance. The dome over this area was the first of its kind in the Region of Murcia, and also from the 16th century is the altar screen, which depicts the pilgrimage of Santiago from the Holy Land to Spain.

The 16th century also saw the addition of the old Sacristy underneath the tower and the main entrance on the southern side of the building, which is in the form of a triumphal arch.

In the early 18th century work began again with the addition of the first two levels of the tower which can still be seen today, as well as the Communion Chapel and the new Sacristy. The 19th century then gave rise to the choir, which is separated from the rest of the church by a superb piece of wrought ironwork, and in which the remains of an early-19th-century organ can still be seen despite it having been damaged during the Civil War.

Among the religious works of art housed in the church are three works by Ignacio Pinazo, Santos de la Hera’s Cristo Crucificado de la Expiación and various items of sculpture related to the life of Christ which are featured in the annual Easter processions.

Further information is available from the tourist office of Jumilla (Plaza del Rollo, 1, tel. 663 300779, email oficinaturismo@jumilla.org) and bookings can be made online here. A payment of just 3 euros is required (to be donated to church maintenance and restoration funds).

For more local news, events and visiting information please go to the home page of Jumilla Today.