CAPILLA REAL
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Baroque chapel with an impressive altarpiece and famous royal tombs
The construction of this Baroque chapel (16th-17th centuries), attached to the cathedral, was ordered by the Catholic Monarchs in 1505. They wished to be buried here. Having died before the chapel was completed, their bodies were stored in the Alhambra's Convent of St. Francis (now the National Parador). In 1521, Charles V had them transferred to the chapel.
On entering, note the copy of Pradilla's painting, The Surrender of Granada. In the center are the famous royal tombs. Here, Charles V buried his grandparents, his parents Joanna the Mad and Philip the Handsome, his wife Isabella, her children and Princess Maria of Portugal, Prince Philip's first wife.
The same Philip II then transferred almost all the tombs to the pantheon at L'Escurial (north of Madrid). Today, only the Catholic Monarchs and the couple Philip and Joan remain. The lead coffins are in the crypt. Near the tombs, you can admire Isabella's crown, scepter and missal, and Ferdinand's sword. The impressive mayor altarpiece (16th century) depicts 36 scenes from the life of Christ and the martyrdom of St. John the Baptist.
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Rather quick visit
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