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Church of Santiago

This is the church of the former Jesuit College of Cádiz, the only building that survives from that complex. After the Anglo-Dutch sack of 1596 the original church had to be rebuilt; the current design is dated 1635, was signed by the Jesuit brother Alonso Romero, and the works lasted about twelve years. It is Mannerist in style and follows Vignola's model for the Gesù in Rome: a Latin cross plan and a dome on pendentives. The main façade faces Plaza de la Catedral, with Ionic pilasters and a corner tower whose octagonal top carries an 18th-century bulb dome. Inside there are 17th-century Baroque altarpieces; the main one is the work of the carver Alejandro Saavedra, and the gilded and polychrome paintings are by Juan Gómez Couto. Several chapels connect with one another through the side aisles. It stands on the corner of Plaza de la Catedral and Calle Compañía, in the old town.

Things to do at Church of Santiago: 3 missions

• Find the high altarpiece by Alejandro SaavedraGo in during the 9:30 Mass or the 20:00 vespers and find the 17th-century Baroque high altarpiece, with its gilding and polychromy.
• Walk along the façade of Ionic pilastersStand in front of the façade facing the square and count the Ionic pilasters that give order to the front of the church.
• Spot the bulb dome of the towerFrom Plaza de la Catedral, look for the tower on the corner of the façade and note its octagonal top crowned by a bulb dome.

Near Church of Santiago

Source: Web oficial - Turismo Ayuntamiento de Cádiz