Chapel of the Nazarene - Cadiz - Andalusia

The Capella del Nazarè, attached to the church of the Santa Maria Convent , was built between 1616 and 1617 according to plans by Alonso de Vandelvira. It contains an excellent catalog of works of art , including our holy titular statues, the main altarpiece and side altarpieces, a valuable Dutch tile plinth and a beautiful holy water font.

The miracle of the plague, the germ of the chapel's expansion:

At the end of the 17th century , the city was hit by a severe plague epidemic. It is said that on the night of July 22, 1681, a miracle happened: Our Father Jesus of Nazareth left his altar to visit the city's hospitals and take the sick, and arrived at the old royal hospital. On that day, the epidemic was considered extinct. As a result of these miraculous events, Santa Maria Magdalena was proclaimed the patron saint of the city of Cadiz, since the saint walked alongside the Nazarene and this event also took place on her feast day.

The growing devotion to the Nazarene led the Confraternity to consider an enlargement of the chapel , which was completed between 1688 and 1690. A new rectangular section was added inside, on which the high altar now stands, while the chapel outside was fitted with a side door .

The Nazarene Chapel door was built because the Brotherhood needed a dedicated entrance as the number of believers visiting the Nazarene increased. Little is known about the original appearance of the door, which has been modified several times. Its current appearance is due to a reform in 1917 when the door was widened and tiles depicting Jesus of Nazareth were added .

To the right of the door we see a large tiled mosaic depicting Our Father Jesus of Nazareth carrying his tortoise and the silver processional cross on his shoulders. It was erected on July 22, 1986, the day of Santa Maria Magdalena. It is the work of Antonio Hermosilla Caro and was made in the workshops of Mensaque Rodríguez y Cía.

Willem Vandenameele