9-Iglesia Monumental de Nuestra Señora de la Asunción (Church of Our Lady of the Assumption)

Considered to be one of the finest churches in the province of Madrid, this building can tell us a great deal about the history of Valdemorillo. It has been built, re-built and extended many times over the centuries, and it is still possible to see the various marks and traces of its past.

The original settlement of Valdemorillo is likely to have been built at around the same time as the lower part of the north wall of the church. At the bottom of the wall, you can clearly see the remains of an older church and its later enlargement.

Because of its shape, the old tower was probably built at the same time as one of the expansions carried out during the 13th century. A notable feature of this tower is its access via a narrow stairway embedded in the wall separating the tower from the rest of the church.

The most recent enlargement of the church, built in the 15th century, was destroyed by a fire in 1543.

In 1548, reconstruction began following an unknown design, although the old tower and east wall show that this new design included a slight change in orientation.

This reconstruction work, in a late-Gothic style, lasted the entire reign of Phillip II and was supervised by a number of different master builders. The marks left by these master builders can be seen in some of the church's unique features, such as the incomplete choir on the north side of the church near the high altar.

If you look at the keystones of the ribbed vaulted ceiling, you will see symbols representing the passion of the Christ and the Virgin, such as nails, hammers, tongs, a crown of thorns, a ladder and lilies. Here, you will also find the inscription "acabose en el año de Ihesus Josep y María 1601" (Finished in the year of Jesus, Joseph and Mary, 1601).

The rest of the ceiling towards the floor is covered with a wooden frame. Lower down, the first buttresses appear to support the weight of the vaulted ceiling and widen the church.

The parish priest, San Pedro de Cardeña, commissioned the architect Bartolomé Elorriaga to design and build the third church, the one that currently stands today. This was finished with the construction of the church's main façade in a Herrerian style. Elorriaga was a keen admirer of the work of Juan de Herrera, the architect of the nearby El Escorial. The current church has a very similar façade to El Escorial, although it lacks a tower that was part of the original design.

During the reign of Charles II, in 1676 (as engraved on a cornerstone), the vestry was enlarged with an extension much like a chapter house below the old tower.

At the entrance to the church is the baptismal chapel containing a font dating from the 17th century.

In 1705, the church was used as a shelter for local residents when troops led by Archduke Charles of Austria sacked the town and destroyed several buildings.

20th Century

During the Battle of Brunete in the Spanish Civil War, the church was used by the Republican Army as a warehouse and kitchen and a large part of the interior furniture and imagery was burnt. As a result, the church was repeatedly fired at by the Nationalists, and the resulting damage can still be seen today.

After the war, efforts were made to quickly repair and rebuild the church. Metal ceiling supports were added to replace the old wooden ones, which were in poor condition and, therefore, the walls were supporting greater weight than they were designed for.

In the mid 20th century a new floor was installed and the human remains buried under the church were transferred to the cemetery. Today, only the old gravestones with their inscriptions remain in the church.

Additionally, the current altarpiece has been rebuilt and features of Saint Blaise and Our Lady of the Assumption. At the top of this altarpiece stands a sculpture of Christ on the cross, dating from the 17th century.

In the mid 20th century a new floor was installed and the human remains buried under the church were transferred to the cemetery. Today, only the old gravestones with their inscriptions remain in the church.

Additionally, the current altarpiece has been rebuilt and features of Saint Blaise and Our Lady of the Assumption. At the top of this altarpiece stands a sculpture of Christ on the cross, dating from the 17th century.

 

Links of interest

 

Church opening hours

Monday to Saturday: 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Sundays: from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

 

Service Times

Monday to Friday: 10 am and 8 pm

Saturdays: 10 h and 20 h

Sundays and holidays: 10 am, 11 am, 12.30 am and 8 pm

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