Iglesia de Santa Maria la Blanca

Welcome to the Iglesia de Santa María la Blanca, one of Seville’s most historically complex and visually stunning sacred spaces. Located on the edge of the old Jewish Quarter, or 'Juderia,' this building is a palimpsest of the…

Though the interior is now overwhelmingly Baroque, an analytical look at the church's layout reveals its origins as a synagogue. The plan is nearly square, a departure from the traditional Latin cross of Christian cathedrals. …

Look up at the ceiling, and you will witness what art historians call 'horror vacui'—a fear of empty spaces. Every square inch of the vaults is covered in intricate plasterwork, or 'yesería,' executed by the brothers Borja in the…

This church was once a gallery for some of Bartolomé Esteban Murillo's greatest masterpieces. Murillo, a close friend of the patron Justino de Neve, painted a series of large lunettes for this space, most notably 'The Founding of…

The columns that support the nave of Santa María la Blanca are perhaps the most tangible link to the building's ancient past. Carved from deep red jasper, these pillars are thought by some scholars to be repurposed from even…

The climax of the church’s interior is the High Altar, a theatrical arrangement of sculpture, painting, and gilding. The altarpiece is dedicated to Our Lady of the Snows, whose statue is the centerpiece of the ensemble. …

Above the transept rises a small but exquisite dome, also adorned with the Borja brothers' signature plasterwork. This dome serves as a chimney of light, illuminating the sanctuary. …

As we step back into the narrow streets of Seville, the transition from the gilded interior of Santa María la Blanca to the mundane world can be jarring. We have explored a space that is a testament to the city’s complex and…