The Zenith of Praise and Adoration (San Juan de Dios, Granada Spain)
“The construction of this basilica in honor of San Juan de Dios began in 1737, when Fray Alonso de Jesús y Ortega decided to build a church next to the Hospital de San de Dios where the relics of the saint could be exhibited. On October 27, 1759, the church opened its doors thanks to the contributions of devout faithful. The full title with which the basilica was dedicated is “Temple of the Immaculate Conception of Our Lady of the Sacred Order of the Hospitality of Our Father Saint John of God.“The theological idea around which the temple revolves is the Triumph of Charity and Love.
This was the message that Saint John of God had left, and the place that housed his remains had to honor that legacy of the co-patron of the city, who served his brothers and neighbors with his life. This idea carries perfectly to the baroque language of the time, transmitting to the visitors a sensation of illusionism and dynamism that envelops the senses and moves.
The person in charge of shaping this project was José de Bada y Navajas, who was later joined by the talent of José Francisco Guerrero, with his altarpieces, or the sculptural contributions to the High Altarpiece by Diego Sánchez Sarabia. Many more artists completed the rich decoration of the basilica, such as Tomás Ferrer, Atanasio Bocanegra or La Roldana.It is one of the most outstanding baroque temples in Spain, both for its artistic mastery and for its relevant wealth of heritage, as well as for being a reference for all the brothers and devotees of San Juan de Dios. “
