LOYOLA SHRINE
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Sanctuary that constitutes one of the most singular examples of Baroque construction in the world located at the foot of Mount Izarraitz
At the foot of Mount Izarraitz, with its rocky grey walls, the Loyola sanctuary is both imposing and serene. Allow a 2-hour visit to discover the many artistic treasures of the sanctuary and follow in the footsteps of Saint Ignatius, born in 1491 and founder of the Society of Jesus. The Basilica of Loyola, designed by Italian architect Carlo Fontana (a disciple of Bernini) in the 17th century, is one of the most unusual examples of Baroque construction in the world. The richness of the marble frescoes and white stone porticos is impressive, as are the Baroque domes, statues, chapels and ceilings of this fortress. The high altar, designed around 1750 by Ignacio Íbero, is in the Churrigueresque Baroque style. Admire the marble workmanship, in particular the use of theintarsia process. This Italian technique consists in embedding stones of various shapes and colors in a marble support that has been hollowed out to accommodate them. The basilica is topped by a vast dome, 65 metres high.
St. Ignatius' birthplace, the Casa Santa, is in a very good state of preservation, as it is protected within the sanctuary enclosure. It features a captivating diorama retracing the major stages in the life of Saint Ignatius. To the north of the sanctuary, two rooms of the Museum of Sacred Art display a collection of liturgical objects and a Plateresque mahogany altar by Saturnino López Gómez.
Did you know? This review was written by our professional authors.
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