The president of the Diputación de Ciudad Real, Miguel Ángel Valverde, accompanied by the second vice president, Sonia González, visited the Santa María la Mayor collegiate church in Alcázar de San Juan. The visit marked the 800th anniversary of the church and aimed to showcase the enhancements made with financial backing from the provincial institution to improve facilities and promote awareness of its historical, artistic, and religious heritage.
During the tour, Valverde and González observed the results of the renovations, which included general painting of the church and the upgrading of access to the Virgin of the Rosary's chapel. These improvements were supported by the Diputación last year. Additionally, a new audio guide system, also sponsored by the Diputación, has been installed, allowing visitors to access information about the church's history, chapels, altarpieces, and key heritage elements via QR codes on their mobile phones. The content was developed in collaboration with local historians, including retired professor María Soledad Salve.
Accompanying the officials were parish priest Francisco Javier Quevedo Muñoz, sacristan Paco Mazuecos, and Joaquín Escribano, a member of the VIII Centenary Commission, who explained the details of the renovations and significant historical events associated with the building.
A historic landmark
The Santa María la Mayor collegiate church is one of the most emblematic religious and heritage sites in Alcázar de San Juan. Recognised as the oldest parish in the province of Ciudad Real, it commemorates eight centuries since its establishment in 1226. Its history is closely linked to the Order of Saint John and the role Alcázar played as the capital of the Order's priorate. In 1537, Pope Paul III granted it collegiate status.
During the visit, Valverde and González received a detailed explanation of the church's historical and architectural evolution, which dates back to Roman times. Their guides noted that a Roman temple once stood on the site, followed by a Visigothic Christian structure, remnants of which, including some columns near the main altar, still exist. They also learned about the building's Islamic past when it housed a mosque during the Muslim period. After Alcázar de San Juan came under the control of the Order of Saint John in the early 13th century, the structure was adapted for Christian worship, utilising much of its original architecture. In 1226, it became a parish, undergoing numerous transformations and expansions since then.
Architectural highlights
The officials explored various chapels and architectural elements added throughout different periods, from 15th-century Gothic vaults to 16th-century Renaissance constructions and Baroque ornamentation from the 17th century onwards. This succession of styles contributes to the uniqueness of the site, which preserves evidence of various historical phases and allows visitors to trace the architectural evolution of Alcázar de San Juan.
One of the most intriguing moments of the visit occurred at the baptismal font and the facsimile of the baptismal record of Miguel de Cervantes, preserved within the church. Valverde and González learned about the document, dated 9 November 1558, which records the baptism of a boy named Miguel, son of Blas de Cervantes and Catalina López. This document is a key piece of evidence for those who assert a connection between the author of Don Quixote and Alcázar de San Juan. The visit also addressed the historical controversy surrounding this record and the identification of the baptized child with the writer, whose birth in Alcalá de Henares is the generally accepted thesis among specialists.
Another significant area visited was the chapel of Our Lady of the Rosary, “patroness and perpetual mayor of Alcázar de San Juan and protector of La Mancha.” Valverde and González accessed this space to appreciate its artistic and architectural features, including the Talavera ceramic flooring and skirting, as well as its importance within the local religious and devotional heritage. The visit allowed them to observe the improvements made to its access with the Diputación's collaboration.
They also viewed the main altar's Baroque retable, featuring the image of the Virgin of the Rosary, characterised by solomonic columns adorned with grape clusters and notable paintings, including works associated with Miguel Barroso, court painter to Philip II, and a Piety attributed to Sánchez Cotán. The tour included chapels and altarpieces dedicated to Saint Blaise, Saint Anthony, and the Sacred Heart of Jesus, along with other sculptural and pictorial elements that highlight the rich heritage accumulated by the collegiate church over its eight centuries of parish history.
This visit not only showcased the improvements funded by the Diputación but also highlighted the efforts of those involved in the conservation and promotion of the heritage of Santa María la Mayor. The celebration of its 800th anniversary presents an opportunity to engage both locals and visitors with the historical and artistic wealth of one of Alcázar de San Juan's key heritage landmarks. The Diputación de Ciudad Real's support for the church's enhancements and the introduction of new interpretative resources reflects its commitment to preserving, valuing, and disseminating the historical and cultural heritage of the province's municipalities.
