Sacred Funeral Chapel of the Saviour

Observing the Sacred Funeral Chapel of the Saviour you can think, a priori, you are in Italy, because it is comparable with its Renaissance churches. In spite of thinking you are on a church, originally the building was created to be used as mausoleum of one of the most important nobles of the period, Francisco de los Cobos, secretary of Charles V. Due to that, you will observe on the side towers some heads of cow cadavers and funeral sculptures.

Even if it is a private building, there are religious services nowadays. Because of that, if you decide to attend to the mass, it is recommended to you to come to this place since it would be an experience for your senses due to the mix of light and colour that come off from the main altar. Also, it is worth to pay attention to it because it recreates exceptionally the event of the Transfiguration of Christ, work of Alonso Berruguete. Moreover, you should observe carefully the wonderful paintings of the dome.

It is also interesting to pay attention to the uncountable symbolism from the pagan classical world and this of the Ancient and New Testament events, which are captured along the whole building. They represent the idea of Death, Honour, Glory and Resurrection.

In terms of history, it started to be construct in 1536 by the architect of the Cathedral of Granada, Diego de Siloé. A second phase, initiated in 1540, is directed by Andrés de Vandelvira, doing a notable contribution, most of all, on the side façades and on the Sacristy.  In 1559, during the kingdom of Philip II, the temple would be consecrated.

These names are not the only ones to be pointed out because,on the construction of the Saviour, there were other recognised men of prestige as Esteban Jamete, sculptor of the façade stone and the Sacristy; and Francisco de Villalpando, author of the magnificent grille which divides the main altar and the reserved space with the popular space of the church.