ALTARPIECE OF OUR LADY OF BETHLEHEM

SURROUNDINGS 

Work began on the Church of the Assumption of Our Lady in the XIII century. It was built to replace a monastery dedicated to St. Martin dating from the X century that already had a modest chapel dedicated to the worship of the Virgin of Bethlehem.

The project must have experienced a considerable boost in 1248 after king Ferdinand III of Castile, the Saint conceded several privileges after the conquest of Seville. That must have been when it was decided to double the size of the main nave which then became four naves, the two central naves of which had polygonal apses in classic Gothic style. The southern entrance was opened in the XIV century and, from the end of the XV and during the XVI century, several side chapels belonging to private individuals were built, the majority of which gave on to the Gospel nave, except the chapel of the Conception of which the Escalante family were benefactors that stands at the top of the Epistle nave.

Work on the bishop's mitre shaped top of the bell tower also corresponds to the Baroque period and the spacious sacristy was built mid-XVIII century.