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Church of El Carmen

Church of the Discalced Carmelites at the point where Paseo del Empecinado meets Calle del Carmen, between the Arlanzón and the boulevard. The original convent was built in the early 17th century with the support of the family of Catalina de Tolosa, a friend of Saint Teresa, and work continued until 1611. In 1966 the Carmelites demolished the Baroque church without permission, which cost the convent a symbolic fine from the town council, and the present church was opened in 1968. It was designed by Felipe de Abajo and Pedro Gutiérrez in a functional contemporary style, in concrete, brick and slate, with a stepped, pyramid-shaped exterior that is its most recognisable feature. Of the old furnishings only a relief of the Pietà was saved, perhaps an early work by Gregorio Fernández, now in the columbarium. The high altar is presided over by a large expressionist crucifix by Jaume Perelló i Miró. The Brotherhood of Nazarenes of Our Lady of Piety has its seat here.

Things to do at Church of El Carmen: 3 missions

• Notice the stepped, pyramid-shaped exteriorWalk around the building and look at its stepped mass of concrete, brick and slate, so different from the city's Gothic churches.
• Place the church between the river and the boulevardWalk along Paseo del Empecinado to the junction with Calle del Carmen and find the building between the Arlanzón and the boulevard.
• See the expressionist crucifix at the high altarIf it is open during service hours, go in and look at Jaume Perelló i Miró's large crucifix that presides over the altar.

Near Church of El Carmen

Source: Wikipedia - Iglesia del Carmen (Burgos)