Church of San Miguel and San Julián

The origin of the church of San Miguel and San Julián is in the foundation of the Professed House of the Jesuits in 1543 by Pedro Fabro and Antonio de Araoz.

Built between 1579 and 1591, it is one of the clearest examples of architecture of the order in the city. Before its current invocation, it was dedicated to Saint Anthony of Padua and Saint Ignatius of Loyola.

The nave opens onto six side chapels, decorated with frescoes and altarpieces of great value, with works by Gregorio Fernández, Pedro de Sierra or Gil de Mena.

The main façade shows a Gothic image of San Miguel, the coats of arms of the counts of Fuensaldaña and the royal coat of arms of Carlos III, placed in 1775 to replace the Jesuit JHS.

The church received a new impetus thanks to the foundation of a patronage in favor of the Company by the Countess of Fuensaldaña, Magdalena de Borja y de Oñez y de Loyola, related to Saint Ignatius of Loyola and Saint Francisco de Borja.

In his will he donated all his assets with the condition that his great-uncle Francisco de Borja be named as the title holder if he were to be canonized, as he was, later sharing his dedication with Saint Ignatius of Loyola.

The main altar houses the funerary monument of the counts of Fuensaldaña, the work of Gregorio Fernández.

In the chapel-sacristy, which preserves the Baroque decoration of the 17th century, there is a large collection of portraits of the most important saints of the Company and a large reliquary chapel.  

Carlos III expelled the Jesuits from Spanish territory in 1767 and the building remained in disuse until 1775, the year in which the parishes of San Miguel and San Julián were unified and came to occupy the church of San Ignacio.