Camino Frances - 2014
College of Our Lady of The Antigua
(PP. Escolapios)
The College of Our Lady of Antigua is built in the Herreriano, the school of Our Lady of Antigua is often known as El Escorial of Galicia, being of the few manifestations of this style in this community. It is forever linked to the figure of its founder, Cardinal Rodrigo de Castro, perhaps the last great ecclesiastical prince of the Renaissance in Spain, Archbishop of Seville, great benefactor of Monforte, and patron of the arts.
The college was a Seminary until 1773 and later a University, displaying up to seven chairs in a time when it was not yet established in the province. Originally run by the Jesuits, their order was expelled from Spain, through the Pragmatic Sanction of 1767 led to the elimination of any existing symbol to remember their existence in the country.
The Herrerian architecture, or Herrerian style is characterized by its geometric rigor, the mathematical relation between the various architectural features, the clean volumes, the dominance of the wall over the span and the almost total absence of decoration, which is why in time was called desornamentaded style. Is also known as escorial style, referring to the building that serves as best example for the architectural style.
The Herrerian buildings are noted for its severe horizontality, achieved through the balance of forms, preferably cubic, which are arranged symmetrically in the structure. Usually have wooden roofs covered with slate in the exterior and side towers, tipped with pointed toes pyramidal spire, which introduce an element of verticality, while helping to reinforce the sense of grandeur and elevation.
At other cases, not looking both the horizontal and the bulkiness, which is reached through the geometrical design of the various architectural elements. This is the case of the model used in the construction of parish churches, with great facades, quadrangular towers and heavy buttresses. |
The Galacian Escorial, an 110 meter long building made from local granite which has acquired a golden splendor
The Monumental Staircase; 35 stair risers each made from one piece of granite
The cloister is of Roman Doric style; 22 meters long on each side.
Rather than being abandoned to cobwebbed desuetude,
the arches ring with the shrieks and screams of young children as it is
used as a children's playschool.
The church is Jesuit in style, inspired by the Gesu in Rome
The jewel of the Church is the altarpiece, which is 20 meters high and 9 meters wide and is made of walnut without polychrome. It was sculpted by Francisco de Moure and is dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Francisco de Moure died in 1636 after 10 years of work on the Church, and the work was continued by his son.
The Praying Statue of The Cardinal, in bronze by Juan de Bolonia.
Our Lady of Antigua, a copy of the original painting in the chapel of the episcopal palace
of Seville. It was the Cardinal's wish that she be the patroness of the school in Monforte de Lemos.
The Museum and Gallery
San Pedro, the father of the Church |
St Juan Bautista |
Santa Ines, a twelve year old girl martyred in 304, with her symbolic lamb
St Margaret of Cortona, the penitent
St Catherine of Alexandria, patroness of philosophers, martyred at the age of 18
Andrea del Sarto: Five paintings
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