Iglesia de la Vera Cruz (Church of the True Cross), Salamanca

The Church of the True Cross, originally dating to the mid‑16th century, was designed by Rodrigo Gil de Hontañón in a Renaissance style. Today, only the original façade and a stone niche with the image of the Immaculate remain from that period. Between 1713 and 1714, famed architect Joaquín de Churriguera transformed it into a richly ornamented Baroque chapel, adding extravagant plasterwork, an altarpiece, and elaborate interior chapels.

Inside, the main altarpiece by Churriguera frames the Immaculate Conception sculpted by Gregorio Fernández, its elegance blending with the surrounding gold-toned retable. Also notable are the Relic of the True Cross crafted by Pedro Benítez, the emotive Baroque carving of Our Lady of Sorrows by Felipe del Corral, and an 18th-century Christ the Resurrected by Alejandro Carnicero.

This chapel serves as the home of the Illustrious Brotherhood of the True Cross, Salamanca’s oldest penitential brotherhood, founded in 1506. It plays a central role in Holy Week, including the evocative Descent from the Cross ceremony and the Procession of the Holy Entombment, both held since the early 17th century.