Iglesia de San Luis de los Franceses - Seville

This emblematic building has been owned by the Provincial Council of Seville since the 19th century after a process of dismantling . The complex was built between 1699 and 1731 and is one of the best preserved examples of complete Baroque architecture in Seville.

The architect was Leonardo de Figueroa and the project was supervised by a select group of Jesuit intellectuals. It is notable for its highly symbolic content and for the combination of European Baroque elements and traditional local forms.

After the final expulsion of the Jesuits in 1835, it was a seminary, a Franciscan monastery, a venerable hospital, a factory in the 19th century, a hospice and at the beginning of the 20th century, now deconsecrated, a stage for plays such as Don Juan Tenorio.

The Jesuits' goal with this church was to show the young novices and visitors to the church the power of the Society of Jesus. Therefore, the altarpieces show the greatness of the Jesuit saints and the achievements of the order. The house chapel was designed as a private chapel for the students of the novitiate and access has been prohibited to visitors for more than 300 years.

It was one of the churches that were not burned down in the Civil War, as it was located next to the center of the resistance in Seville during the occupation by Queipo de Llano. In the 1920s, lightning entered the chancel vault and destroyed an oil tempera painted above the church door. The crypt was used as a real cemetery for many years.

After restoration over the past decades, the church, the private chapel and the crypt have been opened to the public for all Sevillians and visitors to the city to enjoy.

Willem Vandenameele