Introduction
This building is considered one of the masterpieces of the Spanish Baroque.
Chronology
It is Baroque and was built between 1611 and 1755. The most baroque elements of the building can be seen in the towers of the façade and in the cloister.
Historical fact
Originally known as Royal School of the Company of Jesus, it was founded in 1611 by Queen Margarita of Austria, the wife of Philipp III. The queen's objective was to create a school where apostles and missionaries were formed to extend the Catholic faith and to combat heresy in Europe. It is known with the name of the Clerecía ("Clergy") because after the Jesuits were expelled in 1767, it was given to the Royal Clergy of Saint Mark.
It was built in a context of economic decadence and social crisis for the city of Salamanca. At the beginning of the 17th century the number of unemployed people and beggars increased spectacularly. In 1609 Philipp III decreed the expulsion of the Moors still remaining in Spain after the Reconquest. More than 500 families left Salamanca. To make matters worse, in January of 1626, a flood caused more than 150 victims and the destruction of some 500 buildings in the lands near the river. In spite of the fact that the Clerecía was constructed at this point of decadence, it is considered one of the masterpieces of universal Baroque.
To build the Clerecía it was necessary to demolish a large number of private homes and some religious buildings. Construction began on November 12, 1617 and various architects participated in the project. The original plans belonged to Juan Gómez de Mora; the domes and the vault were designed by Pedro Mato and the towers and the crest plate are the work of Andrés García de Quiñones. Construction on the building concluded in 1755.
In 1854 the building was occupied by the Jesuits again, although since 1940 it has been the headquarters of the Papal University.
Architectural element
The general concept of the building reflects the traditional ideas of old monasteries. It is composed of a public part, church and schools where the Jesuits gave classes. There is also a private area where the clergy lived.
Although all these areas are joined to the large cloister, the most outstanding part is the church. The floor plan, derived from the Roman church of Gesú, is based on the Latin cross. The façade is composed of three horizontal sections with Corinthian columns. On the first section we find three simple doors with a lintel. The one in the centre is crowned with the image of Saint Ignatius of Loyola. The second section has a window with split pediment, which is very characteristic of the Baroque, and two empty shields. The third section is the most Baroque of the three. It is composed of two towers on the ends with a crest plate in the centre which has a relief of the Assumpion of the Virgin. On the crest plate there are statues of Philipp III and Margarita of Austria.
The cloister has been described as "one of the most complete Baroque creations of all time". It is divided into three sections framed by giant columns. At the bottom we find an arcade with half point arcades.
Other artistic elements
Inside the church there are impressive altarpieces with slender salomonic columns. The central one depicts the coming of the Holy Spirit and Saint Ignatius of Loyola writing his spiritual exercises. The side altarpieces are dedicated to Saint Ignatius of Loyola and Saint Francis Xavier.
The dome of the temple has four enormous royal coats of arms, a drum and a large lantern. Originated perhaps by a poor structural design, it has always remained in an unstable balance. After the earthquake of Lisbon it had to be reinforced with metallic elements to avoid collapsing.
Curiosity legend
It has always been said that the façade expresses the concept of ascending to the heavens. An interpretation of the façade’s decorative elements could be the following: the Virgin with the help of inspiration from the Holy Spirit and material support from the Spanish Monarchs, represented by the figures of king Philipp and queen Margarita, facilitate the teachings of the order, represented in the first section by its founder San Ignatius of Loyola.
Because the monastry does not have an orchard or a garden, both the school and the private area where the clergy live have a high gallery along which people can take a walk and enjoy the sun in winter
At the moment of its construction, the Jesuits had great power in Salamanca. That is how they could demolish such a large number of private homes. The House of the Shells and several religious buildings miraculously survived.
Open hours
Half an hour before mass. Mondays to Fridays at 1:15 pm. Saturdays at 7:30 pm. Sundays and festival at 12:30 pm. Free entrance.
Construction date
Between 1611 and 1755.
This building is considered one of the masterpieces of the Spanish Baroque.
Chronology
It is Baroque and was built between 1611 and 1755. The most baroque elements of the building can be seen in the towers of the façade and in the cloister.
Historical fact
Originally known as Royal School of the Company of Jesus, it was founded in 1611 by Queen Margarita of Austria, the wife of Philipp III. The queen's objective was to create a school where apostles and missionaries were formed to extend the Catholic faith and to combat heresy in Europe. It is known with the name of the Clerecía ("Clergy") because after the Jesuits were expelled in 1767, it was given to the Royal Clergy of Saint Mark.
It was built in a context of economic decadence and social crisis for the city of Salamanca. At the beginning of the 17th century the number of unemployed people and beggars increased spectacularly. In 1609 Philipp III decreed the expulsion of the Moors still remaining in Spain after the Reconquest. More than 500 families left Salamanca. To make matters worse, in January of 1626, a flood caused more than 150 victims and the destruction of some 500 buildings in the lands near the river. In spite of the fact that the Clerecía was constructed at this point of decadence, it is considered one of the masterpieces of universal Baroque.
To build the Clerecía it was necessary to demolish a large number of private homes and some religious buildings. Construction began on November 12, 1617 and various architects participated in the project. The original plans belonged to Juan Gómez de Mora; the domes and the vault were designed by Pedro Mato and the towers and the crest plate are the work of Andrés García de Quiñones. Construction on the building concluded in 1755.
In 1854 the building was occupied by the Jesuits again, although since 1940 it has been the headquarters of the Papal University.
Architectural element
The general concept of the building reflects the traditional ideas of old monasteries. It is composed of a public part, church and schools where the Jesuits gave classes. There is also a private area where the clergy lived.
Although all these areas are joined to the large cloister, the most outstanding part is the church. The floor plan, derived from the Roman church of Gesú, is based on the Latin cross. The façade is composed of three horizontal sections with Corinthian columns. On the first section we find three simple doors with a lintel. The one in the centre is crowned with the image of Saint Ignatius of Loyola. The second section has a window with split pediment, which is very characteristic of the Baroque, and two empty shields. The third section is the most Baroque of the three. It is composed of two towers on the ends with a crest plate in the centre which has a relief of the Assumpion of the Virgin. On the crest plate there are statues of Philipp III and Margarita of Austria.
The cloister has been described as "one of the most complete Baroque creations of all time". It is divided into three sections framed by giant columns. At the bottom we find an arcade with half point arcades.
Other artistic elements
Inside the church there are impressive altarpieces with slender salomonic columns. The central one depicts the coming of the Holy Spirit and Saint Ignatius of Loyola writing his spiritual exercises. The side altarpieces are dedicated to Saint Ignatius of Loyola and Saint Francis Xavier.
The dome of the temple has four enormous royal coats of arms, a drum and a large lantern. Originated perhaps by a poor structural design, it has always remained in an unstable balance. After the earthquake of Lisbon it had to be reinforced with metallic elements to avoid collapsing.
Curiosity legend
It has always been said that the façade expresses the concept of ascending to the heavens. An interpretation of the façade’s decorative elements could be the following: the Virgin with the help of inspiration from the Holy Spirit and material support from the Spanish Monarchs, represented by the figures of king Philipp and queen Margarita, facilitate the teachings of the order, represented in the first section by its founder San Ignatius of Loyola.
Because the monastry does not have an orchard or a garden, both the school and the private area where the clergy live have a high gallery along which people can take a walk and enjoy the sun in winter
At the moment of its construction, the Jesuits had great power in Salamanca. That is how they could demolish such a large number of private homes. The House of the Shells and several religious buildings miraculously survived.
Open hours
Half an hour before mass. Mondays to Fridays at 1:15 pm. Saturdays at 7:30 pm. Sundays and festival at 12:30 pm. Free entrance.
Construction date
Between 1611 and 1755.
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