The church of Santa María de Gracia in Cartagena

La Iglesia de Santa María de Gracia, Cartagena

The church lies between the Calle del Aire and the Calle de San Miguel. The main entry is in Calle Aire, and the side entrance is used during Semana Santa, when those taking part in the processions enter the church by the rear door, and form up into their procession order before leaving via the front door.

The Church was built during the 18th century, and reformed during the 19th and 20th, but was never completed to the degree of splendour the original plans had envisaged, having a fairly simple fachada.

Mass is at 7.30pm Weekdays and Saturdays and Sundays am at 10.30am.

Click for map, Calle del  Aire Cartagena

Santa María de Gracia Cartagena History

The origins of this site of Christian worship, as far as we can trace them, go back to a small chapel in the lower part of the old city within the primitive walled area. The date of the original construction of the chapel, called the Ermita Ntra Sra Sta María de Gracia,  is unknown, but we know that it existed in 1589, when Jerónimo Hurtado wrote of it, describing it as a "church next to the Parish of Santa María, with its sacraments".

During the 17th and 18th centuries, the original chapel became more important, as the Cathedral which existed in Cartagena proved too small and difficult to get to. The Cathedral is located at the foot of the Roman Theatre structure and was in an area built into the original hillside which had grown up over the top of the ruins of the Roman Theatre, so had poor access. (Click Cartagena Cathedral)

This Church was intended to be the "new Cathedral" of Cartagena, and on the 18th March, 1712, the Town Hall asked Bishop Luis Belluga y Moncaba to help in the construction of a new church on the site, the Bishop offering 84,000 Reales over the following 8 years. Work began in 1715 and in 1729 further help was sought from the ecclesiastical authorities.

There were 3 phases in the construction, 1716-1749, then 1750 to 1776, then finally 1780 to 1798.
Progress was slow, due to the lack of funds to complete the project.

The church continued to undergo reforms and modifications, a major one taking place following the bombardment of Cartagena during the 1873 Cantonal Rebellion, (see History of Cartagena prt 4) Reconstruction work took place in 1880.

The Church was also severely damaged during the Spanish Civil War, the last mass celebrated on the 25th July 1936, and the church would not reopen until 1951. During that time the Parroquial seat was transferred to the Iglesia de Santo Domingo and the Church of Santa María was used as a storehouse and by the Military.

There have been several major re-models during this last century, Alejandro Escribano (1926), Víctor Beltrí (1931), Lorenzo Ros (1942) y Fernando Masdeu Puche (1992 ), probably the most important reform and restoration projects being the neo-baroque work undertaken in 1943 by Lorenzo Ros. He used the façade of Murcia cathedral as his inspiration, and carried out a number of changes adding rich and exuberant interior features, but again, failed to complete the exterior works, so the fachada remained simple in its design.

Works of Art in the Church

"Cuatro Santos Hermanos de Cartagena" (the Four Saintly Brothers and Sister of Cartagena); Isidoro, Fulgencio, Leandro and Florentina by Francisco Salzillo. Click for more info about Francisco Salzillo.

The four works by Francisco Salzillo are the most important pieces in the church and their delivery in person to Cartagena by the master himself is the only recorded occasion on which Salzillo left the city of Murcia.

Most of the pieces commissioned for Cartagena were burnt during the Spanish Civil War (1936-39) and it is miraculous that these four survived intact.

They are linked to a tradition which takes place every November, the Voto a los Cuatro Santos, when the local authorities in Cartagena, nowadays the Town Hall dignitaries, reaffirm their devotion to the Four Saints to coincide with the Saints Day of the Virgen del Rosell, formerly patron of the city.

This tradition goes back to 24th November, 1694, Santa Catalinas Day, when a severe storm battered the city. Miraculously Cartagena survived, and this was attributed to the prayers offered to the Four Saints and the Virgen del Rosell. Since then thanks have been given every year to these saints, and nowadays the ceremony is held in this Church.

More information about the four saints of Cartagena, Los Cuatro Santos by Francisco Salzillo

These four saints were all born into the same family. The father was an influential Visigoth named Severiano who lived in Cartagena and married a native Goth woman. The couple had four children, three boys and a girl.

For more info about this period in Cartagena´s history and the occupation to the Visigoths, click History of Cartagena Part 3

San Fulgencio

Fulgencio was born at the end of the first half of the 6th century, and died at the start of the 7th. He was bishop of Cartagena and Écija. In his left arm he carries a bishops staff and a book, and the right arm points to the heavens.

San Isidoro

San Isidoro was considered one of the most illustrious men of his time, notable for his intelligence, and the author of the Etymologies. He presided over the 4th Council of Toledo, and became Archbishop of Seville and a Doctor of the Church. His remains are in León, in the Real Monasterio de San Isidoro de León.

His right hand is holding an open book resting on the right thigh, and the left is holding a bishops staff.

San Leandro

San Leandro was considered the "Apostle of the Visigoths". He was archbishop of Seville, and presided over the 3rd Council of Toledo. His right hand is holding a bishops staff, and the left is striking his own chest while he looks skywards.

Santa Florentina

Santa Florentina is the patron saint of Plasencia, and founded about 40 monasteries. She was an abbess when she died, and her remains lie in the parish of Berzocana (Cáceres).

The sculpture of the Holy Abbess Florentina shows her in pensive mood, reading a book, probably the Hours. The right hand is holding her abbesss staff, and the left is on her hip.

Other works of art in the Church

The "Virgen del Rosell" dates from the 14th century and was restored in the 20th. In the large chapel.

"Cristo de la Flagelación", sculpted by Mariano Beulliure, 20th century. Also sculpted the Christ Tied to the Column, and the Arrest of Christ.

Sculptures by Sánchez Lozano, including Oración en el Huerto, La Samaritana and San Pedro.

Crucifix of Christ of the Fallen, 19th century sculpture by González Moreno.

Virgen del Rosario

Most of the remaining sculptures in the church are of modern (20th century) origin. One is of special interest, the Virgen del Rosario, by José Hernández Cano (during the 1990s).

This painted wood sculpture is about 1.6 metres high and represents the Virgen del Rosario without Child. The image is frontal, and follows Andalusian traditions. The Virgen is Shown wearing a white full-length tunic and a voluminous cloak. A typical Spanish headdress falls from her hair to her forearms, and her face is filled with tears. Her rosary beads are in her left hand.

The cult of the Virgen del Rosario goes back to the Middle Ages, but is especially linked to the Battle of Lepanto in 1571. At this point in time Western Europe faced the risk of being over-run by attacking Muslim Forces. Pope Pius V had ordered a series of prayers to be said to ask for divine protection in battle, and on hearing of the victory at Lepanto he created the Feast of "Nuestra Señora de las Victorias". It was Pope Gregory XIII who later changed the name to the Fiesta del Rosario.

For more local visiting information, what's on and news, go to the Cartagena section of Murcia Today.