The main facade of Santa Creu remains unfinished, while the bell tower stands to its right. Construction began in 1335 on land gifted by the bishop of Barcelona, utilizing stone from the royal quarry of Bellver. While records suggest one church was finished by 1371, a document from 1445 describes a "new church" rising. The presbytery's keystone was placed in 1564.
Step inside to experience the striking scale of the building, which has a width of 26 metres and a length of 48 metres. The ceiling consists of rib vaulting, except for the presbytery which features a different ribbed vault style. The church houses a grand organ with three manual keyboards, a 30-note pedal, and 45 registers, making it one of the largest in Mallorca.
Beyond the presbytery lies the crypt of Sant Llorenç. This space dates back to the late 13th or early 14th century. It features a quadrangular plan with an ambulatory consisting of alternating triangular and quadrangular sections, supported by four octagonal columns with geometric capitals. The entrance features a molded lintel with zoomorphic representations in the capitals.
Today, the church remains a significant parish of the city. The main altarpiece is of a late style and presents an image of Santa Helena and another of the Mare de Déu del Carme, which denote the maritime tradition of the parish. The church also preserves a 16th-century Gothic table featuring the Mare de Déu del Bon Camí by Gabriel Mòger.
Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons
Written by Nik Frost
Discuss this with the author and others
No comments yet. Be the first to start the conversation.