A sentimental town of Huete, an area that will remain in my heart. I , of course, know it well, coming here with my family was huge. An opportunity to show them the roots and having just a great time. One of the quant towns we visited in the last several years was Huetein the Province of Cuencaand the Autonomous Community of Castilla La Mancha. I have other posts but as usual lately have found older pictures that are not in my blog and they should, Therefore, here is my take on the Church of Santo Domingo de Guzman !!! Hope you enjoy the post as I.
The Church of Santo Domingo de Guzman, located at Plaza San Juan corner with Calle Subida de San Pedro. It was done in the Classical to the Baroque in 1621 and finished by 1642. The façade is impressive and nice walk in the surrounding streets. It is a lovely area of town to walk and go deep in architecture and history all around you from different years….The Church of Santo Domingo de Guzman was originally built with the help of Sisters coming from the area of Amasatrigo thanks to donations by Catalina de Lancáster, Queen of Castille and Lady of Huete in 1393. There were renovations from 1621 to 1642. One of its members was the bishop of Astorga ,don Diego de Veancos y Salcedo, buried in one of the chapels decorated with his bishop’s arms. Napoleon’s troops, which installed their barracks and stables there, dispersed the monks. The convent was confiscated in 1835 and sold along with its assets with the cloister soon lost and the church nave was intended for agricultural uses.
The Sisters were replaced by friars. The continuous growth of its heritage led to the monastery becoming one of the most important that the order had in Castile. The current Church Santo Domingo de Guzman, responds to an architecture style that evolves from classicism to the Baroque. The severity of its interior and the facade on the square contrasts with the main facade, in which more advanced elements such as the cover and the two swords stand out. It is also novel the creation to facilitate the contemplation of the facade from the different access streets, with the intention of moving the visitor.
The interior is conceived as a space of golden proportions in which the only decorative elements are the pilasters of Tuscan order. The soft pear of the arches and the disposition of a consistent toral arch that separates the nave, reserved for the faithful, from the main chapel, destined for the employers: the Salcedo Y Veancos family, which raised the works are buried in its crypt. One of its most prominent members was Diego de Veancos Y Salcedo, Bishop of Astorga, buried in one of the side chapels that was adorned with his episcopal shield. The Church Santo Domingo de Guzmàn central part is framed between two high pilasters on which the great pediment is supported with oculus in its center. Each of the lateral axes of the facade have a cover, with a window on top and sustaining the bells. The lower body of the facade has in its central part a cover with a triumphal arc between columns and paired pilasters that rise on high plinths. IIts central part is organized by a hornacin that passed between pilasters and crowned by a frontón , while on the sides of it it is they raise four pyramids with balls on some pedestals, following the ascending lines marked by the columns. In the center of the upper body, on the niche, choir window, currently blinded mostly and illuminated the main altar. On each side, square windows, to the left of the antero and to the right of the transchoro. About them cornises, from which the bells rise. And in the central crowning, on the great pediment, a ball on each side and a cross on the apex are placed on pedestals.
For a period it was on the red list of monuments in bad conditions but thanks to local efforst it is back on the green list back from 2020, This thanks in part to the Asociacion Cultural Ciudad de Huete, webpage :https://ciudadhuete.es/ And they are in part member of Hispania Nostra for the preservation of heritage monuments in Spain, webpage : https://www.hispanianostra.org/
The Huete tourist office on the Church Santo Domingo de Guzmàn : https://www.turismohuete.com/punto-de-interes/iglesia-santo-domingo-guzman/
There you go folks, another dandy road warrior trip by yours truly, this were memorable trips with the whole family and always looking forward to be back to Huete with the boys and our dog Rex, eventually, This is in country deep Spain and we love it !! Again, hope you enjoy this post on the Church Santo Domingo de Guzmàn as I.
And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all !!!
Paris1972-Versailles2003 