The Iglesia de Santiago in Murcia, a former parish church and now a chapel, has its origins in the 13th century. Following the Conquest of Murcia in 1266, it is possible that this site was an ancient mosque. By 1272, Christian parishes were documented nearby, though the parish of Santiago was eventually added to the parish of San Miguel, ending its short condition as a parish church. It was later converted into an ermita.
The building boasts the only mudéjar ceiling currently preserved in the city, located on Calle de los Pasos de Santiago. This street's name refers to a vía crucis performed by the friars of the San Diego convent. The structure itself gives an idea of its medieval origin, although it was widely restored after years of abandonment.
The building is also linked to the acclaimed Tablas de Santiago, a piece of the old retablo mayor said to have been crafted around 1552 by Juan de Vitoria. These Tablas were seized by the Junta Delegada de Incautación del Tesoro Artístico and now form part of the collection at the Museo de Bellas Artes de Murcia.
Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons
Written by Nicolo Ciampini
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