COLLEGE OF CALATRAVA (HOUSE OF THE CHURCH)
20 minutesThe Calatrava College, also known as the College of the Immaculate Conception, was built by the Military Order of Calatrava in the 18th century. The large-scale works began in 1717 under the direction of architect Joaquín de Churriguera and were continued by Jerónimo García de Quiñones. He modified the original design, eliminating much of its Churrigueresque decoration to adapt it to the neoclassical style, in line with the new aesthetic trends of the time. The grandeur of the facade, which has become a benchmark of Churrigueresque architecture, is worth a visit.
Over time, the building was used for educational and religious functions, becoming a Seminary. Between 2000 and 2003, the property underwent a profound renovation that transformed it into the current House of the Church, which houses the central offices of the Diocese of Salamanca.
The College of the Immaculate Conception of Salamanca was founded in 1552 by the Order of Calatrava, its constitutions being endorsed by Emperor Charles V. Its first headquarters were located in some houses on the current Calle de San Pablo, near the Palacio de la Salina. Due to the poor condition of these buildings, it was decided to construct a new college on a plot located behind the Convent of San Esteban, near the Puerta de Santo Tomás.
Construction began in 1717, following the plans of the architect Joaquín de Churriguera. After his death in 1724, the works were interrupted and did not resume until 1750, when Jerónimo García de Quiñones was chosen as the new architect. The arrival of Enlightenment ideas prompted a change in the building's design. Numerous decorative elements already built were removed, and those yet to be executed were discarded. Finally, the building was inaugurated in 1790, coinciding with a visit from Jovellanos.
During the Peninsular War, the college did not suffer structural damage like other properties in the city, although it was plundered by the occupying armies. During that period, Goya's paintings that decorated the chapel disappeared, as did the tabernacle and the marble and bronze shrine from the altarpiece.
After the conflict ended, the college resumed its activity until the disentailment of 1836. From then on, the building had various uses, including that of a Civil Guard barracks. In 1878, it became the property of the Diocese of Salamanca.
In the late 19th century, Father Cámara installed the community kitchens and the Calatrava printing press in the building. Subsequently, it was ceded to the Augustinians as a college, until, in 1940, with the creation of the Pontifical University of Salamanca, the Diocesan Minor Seminary and, shortly after, the Major Seminary moved into the building.
In the early hours of February 11, 1960, a serious fire destroyed a large part of the building, also causing significant losses in the diocesan archive. In 1995, the property was completely restored and transformed into the House of the Church: a multifunctional space of the Diocese of Salamanca which, in addition to housing the Major Seminary, accommodates the Diocesan Curia, a residence for elderly priests and their families, as well as other services and spaces intended for religious activities.
The College of the Immaculate Conception of Calatrava was founded in 1552 by the Military Order of Calatrava. It was designed by Joaquín de Churriguera in 1717, becoming one of the most representative buildings of Salmantine Baroque. Joaquín de Churriguera adopted here the traditional scheme of the Spanish military alcázar: a square plan with four towers. The two front ones frame the main facade, while the rear ones house the staircase and the transept of the chapel.
The facade stands out for its chromatic play: gray granite is used for the plinth and the door, contrasting with the warm Villamayor sandstone that covers the rest of the building. The towers project from the facade's plane, which is organized into two levels with windows crowned by Baroque pediments. A balustrade tops the ensemble, interrupted in the center by a decorative comb-shaped element housing the coat of arms of Philip V. On the same street, there is a niche with the statue of Saint Raymond of Fitero, founder of the Order, accompanied by his arms. The lintelled door is framed by a wide broken molding, flanked by figures of youths on volutes holding pennants with the Order's coat of arms, a symbol that also appears on the side portals.
After Churriguera's death, the works were practically halted for twenty-five years. Upon resumption, the change in aesthetic taste towards Neoclassicism ended up mutilating almost all of its abundant ornamentation. Progress was made on the construction of the cloister and the chapel, already stripped of Churrigueresque ornaments. In the cloister, the main staircase stands out, located in one of the towers. Designed by Jerónimo García de Quiñones, it is inspired by the Soto Staircase of the Convent of San Esteban and the one his father, Andrés García de Quiñones, built in the College of the Jesuits.
Shortly after, the chapel was completed, conceived in a sober and academic style. Three stone altarpieces were installed in it, housing paintings commissioned by Jovellanos from Francisco de Goya. These works, along with the tabernacle and the marble and bronze ciborium, were lost during the Peninsular War. The main altarpiece would serve as a frame for a Neoclassical painting depicting the Immaculate Conception, a jewel of Spanish painting judging by contemporary comments. A sketch of this work, which belonged to Jovellanos, is preserved in the Prado Museum.
Currently, the chapel houses a sculptural ensemble carved in Villamayor stone by the Salmantine artist Damián Villar: a Crucified Christ, to preside over the main altar, the relief of The Temptation of Saint Thomas Aquinas, intended for the Epistle side, and The Preaching of Saint Augustine, for the Gospel side.