Oratorio de San Felipe Neri, Baroque church in Cádiz, Spain
The Oratorio de San Felipe Neri is a Baroque church in Cádiz featuring an elliptical floor plan with seven rectangular side chapels and a distinctive two-tiered dome pierced by eight windows. Inside, the main altar holds a painting of the Immaculate Conception by Murillo, considered among his finest artistic achievements.
Built between 1685 and 1719, the building became a meeting place for the General Courts in 1811 when French forces occupied much of Spain. This assembly produced one of Europe's first constitutional documents, reshaping the nation's government.
The space served as a gathering point for those seeking to shape the nation and today draws people interested in understanding how democratic ideas took root. Visitors notice the solemn atmosphere created by the historic walls and the visual reminders of the constitutional debates that occurred here.
Access is limited to certain days and hours, so checking ahead is wise before planning your visit. Guided tours are offered at select times and provide deeper insight into the building's history and design.
Memorial plaques on the outer walls display the names of parliamentary members who supported the 1812 Constitution, installed during the centennial celebrations in 1912. These markers reveal how the space later became a symbol honoring those who shaped the nation's political course.
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