Iglesia de Santa María la Blanca

Interesting facts

1. 1

   The church sits on land that previously hosted one of the city's three main medieval synagogues.

2. 2

   The 1656 reconstruction was directed by architects Pedro Sánchez Falconete and Diego López Bueno.

3. 3

   The interior contains works by the painter Murillo, specifically a depiction of the Immaculate Conception.

4. 4

   The architectural style is characterized as High Baroque, specifically the extreme, ornamental Churrigueresque.

5. 5

   The transition from synagogue to church occurred during the anti-Jewish riots of 1391 in Seville.

6. 6

   The central nave maintains a spatial proportion derived from the original 13th-century building plan.

Overview

Iglesia de Santa María la Blanca is a distinct example of Seville's layered architectural history, having functioned as a 13th-century synagogue before its conversion into a Christian church in 1391. The building underwent a massive 17th-century renovation, resulting in the current Churrigueresque style interior that contrasts sharply with its modest exterior. The interior features elaborate plasterwork, known as yeserías, and paintings by local masters. Its layout retains traces of its original Jewish heritage, specifically the spatial division common to medieval Iberian synagogues. It remains an active parish church located within the former Jewish quarter of the city. The space is noted for its highly decorated ceiling and the interplay of light reflecting off its gilded motifs. It is considered one of the finest examples of the transition between Mudéjar structures and Baroque interior design in Andalusia.

Insider tips

• Walk the perimeter of the church to see how the building’s exterior integrates into the narrow residential streets of the Santa Cruz district.

• Look up to examine the intricate plaster decorations which hide the structural beams of the roof.

• Visit during the shoulder seasons to avoid the peak heat of the Seville summer.