Architecture

Hermitage of Nuestra Señora de Consolación

It was founded by an Indian originally from Cartaya, at the beginning of the 16th century or the end of the 15th. It measures 30 x 17 m.
The original building, which is basically the current one, except for some additions, is made of brick and masonry, with a wooden roof.
It consists of three naves, separated by arcades.
To the feet it takes choir.
To the outside it presents a brick doorway with double pointed arch in Gothic style.
At the foot of the temple, a two-story portico was built with three frontal arches and one lateral arcade.
The pulpit, the arcades, the main chapel and the roof stand out as well.

 

Parish Church of San Pedro

The current building was begun in 1575 and the process was completed in 1606. It measures 42 x 19 m, it is a construction of three naves and a flat head.

The whole of the construction, although dressed with typical Mudejar materials, is of a fundamentally Renaissance concept, typical of its time. It fits within the simplifying artistic reaction against the decorative richness of the previous era. It is one of the best illustrative exponents of Renaissance Churches of Western Andalusia.

In the second half of s. XVII are added three chapels in the nave of the gospel, in the eighteenth century the current sacristy and the current cover is built; It would be in the 19th century when the archives and rectory house were added.

It is kept in good condition since in the mid-90s it proceeded to the restoration of the elements of the building that were in poor condition, such as the roof and the floor, as well as the pair and knuckle armor of the central nave.

 

Convent of Ntra. Sra. De la Merced

Building declared of Local Interest and therefore protected by subsidiary regulations.

Located in the center of the urban area, on the block that leads to Convento and Frailes streets.

Foundation of the seventeenth century, by order of the Duchess of Béjar for the Order of Trinitarians of Our Lady of Mercy. It is one of the most emblematic buildings of the town, where stands the tower built at the end of the seventeenth century with a ribbed vault, reinforced with very thick nerves, of a Gothic-Mudejar type.

The building, in general, consists of two well-differentiated areas: the one dedicated to the cult or temple and the housing or convent itself. The following is conserved in this housing area:

Walls of load or master walls: in the low plant 100% and in the high one, 74% approximately.
Walls and arcades of patio: a front of a patio; the links of the vaults are preserved.
Covers: of the vaults that completely covered the ground floor, all the façade bays, the entrance to the central bay, the entire east side exterior, all with their decoration intact, are preserved; represents this around 52% of total. On the upper floor, the roofs were "brick by brick", using local terminology. In the covers of the galleries of the patios the already mentioned engarces of the vaults of ground floor are conserved.
Decorative elements: they are in very good condition throughout the conserved area, although covered with lime; there are significant elements that are in perfect condition, such as the high arches of the eastern bay.
Exterior: the main facade is preserved complete, with almost all its elements; the bays have been altered at different times and a body has been added to the eastern end, so it is estimated that it retains 90% of its original appearance. The rear façade is preserved 70%, having been exempt after the opening of a street, in which the old chimney of the convent kitchen can be appreciated. The eastern facade can not be assessed because it is hidden due to the subsequent buildings.
The state of conservation of the other part of the building, temple and bell tower, also demands some points:

The bell-tower is kept complete thanks to the restoration that took place this year.
The temple preserves:

Walls of load: all except the one of facade, redone in the last century (s.xx); the conserved is estimated at approximately 89%.
Covers: retains the most interesting part at architectural level, the half orange of the cruise, which is complete and with all its decorative details, including the central florón.