Sanctuary of Loyola, Azpeitia, Spain

The Sanctuary of Loyola consists of a series of edifices built in Churrigueresque Baroque style around the birthplace of St. Ignatius of Loyola, founder of the Society of Jesus.

Ignatius of Loyola, whose real name was Iñigo López de Loyola, was the son of the Lord of Loyola, Beltrán Ibáñez de Oñaz and Marina Sánchez de Licona, member of an important Biscayan family. He was born in 1491 in his family house in Loyola.

After he died his birthplace became a place of veneration. In the seventeenth century the house where he was born was given to the Society of Jesus. The Order built there, near the birthplace of its founder, the Sanctuary of Loyola.

In 1900 the Society commissioned an altar for the sanctuary, employing metalwork artist Plácido Zuloaga, who had won international success creating intricate artworks by damascening, a technique which inlays gold and silver into iron. Zuloaga's iron structure houses panels depicting the life of St. Ignatius, and supports a damascened crucifix and candlesticks from the workshop of José Felipe Artamendi.

References:

Wikipedia

Religious sites in Spain

User Reviews

Sajeev Jose (2 years ago)
It is the Basilica surrounding the house of St Ignatius Loyola where he was born and later had his conversion experience. It's a holy place. The house of Ignatius is beautiful and is preserved in is original glory. The room where he had his conversion is turned into a chapel. It's the centre of the world for the Jesuits and the Ignatian family.

Julian Dawson (3 years ago)
Birthplace of the founder of the Jesuit order, it has been beautifully restored in modern times, but in antiquity has developed as a basilica, a college of learning, a shrine and now, the greater part not accessible to the public is a retirement place for Jesuit priests. The publically accessible buildings are stunning, the basilica on its own is worth the visit.

Michael Mohr (3 years ago)
The second most important church for the Society of Jesus. A beautiful Baroque-style, circular church nestled in the heartland of the Basque Country. Attached is the childhood home of Saint Ignatius, now wonderfully preserved as a museum.

Andy Gustafson (3 years ago)
Gorgeous Church in fantastic museum. Lovely surrounding gardens as well.

Bernd Henne (4 years ago)
beautiful village in a wunderful landscape with the basilica of Ignacio de Liyola.

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Photo from Flickr, copyright Following Hadrian

Historic Site of the week

Walls of Constantinople

The Walls of Constantinople are a series of defensive stone walls that have surrounded and protected the city of Constantinople (today Istanbul) since its founding as the new capital of the Roman Empire by Constantine the Great. With numerous additions and modifications during their history, they were the last great fortification system of antiquity, and one of the most complex and elaborate systems ever built. They were also the largest and strongest fortification in both the ancient and medieval world.

Initially built by Constantine the Great, the walls surrounded the new city on all sides, protecting it against attack from both sea and land. As the city grew, the famous double line of the Theodosian Walls was built in the 5th century. Although the other sections of the walls were less elaborate, they were, when well-manned, almost impregnable for any medieval besieger.

Sanctuary of Loyola

Address

Details

More Information

Rating

Interesting Sites Nearby

User Reviews

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Finest Norman castles in Italy

Exploring the History of Northern Poland

Discovering Slovenia's Historic Wonders

Historic Site of the week

Walls of Constantinople