Iglesia de Santa María del Sagrario, Gothic Isabelline church in historic center, Málaga, Spain.
Iglesia de Santa María del Sagrario is a church built in Isabelline style with a rectangular layout and barrel vaults supported by reinforcing arches and lunettes. The interior features golden Baroque decorations on moldings that add richness to the structural elements.
This building rose on the site of a former mosque after papal authorization arrived in 1488 allowing Christian construction. The work progressed over roughly 3 centuries, with construction spanning from the mid-15th through the mid-18th century.
The name refers to the sacrament and reflects this building's role as a spiritual center for the city's religious community. Visitors experience an active place of worship where people gather for daily devotion rather than a museum-like monument.
The building remains an active worship space with scheduled services throughout the week, so visiting outside prayer times is best for touring the interior. It is wise to check current hours before visiting, as the schedule can vary with religious observances and celebrations.
Excavations in 2020 uncovered early Christian remains beneath the building, revealing ancient worship activity at this exact location. This discovery shows that the spot held spiritual importance long before the current structure was built.
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