Iglesia de San Felipe Neri (Church of San Felipe Neri), Malaga

The Church of San Felipe Neri, also known as the Church of the Holy Cross and San Felipe Neri, stands in the neighborhood of San Felipe Neri, part of Malaga’s Centro district. This 18th-century building evolved through numerous extensions and renovations, beginning as a modest chapel commissioned by Antonio Tomas Guerrero Coronado y Zapata, the 2nd Count of Buenavista.

The foundation stone was laid on March 3, 1720, at Plaza de los Canteros near Gaona Street, with the initial structure completed a decade later. Initially intended as a small private chapel, it attracted interest from various religious orders. However, the Count ultimately entrusted it to the Philippians, following a premonition about their request. This decision was formalized in a letter by Cardinal Gaspar de Molina in November 1738. On July 11, 1739, a grand procession marked the handover, followed by the first official mass.

Over the years, the Counts of Buenavista enriched the church, adding sculptures, paintings, and ornamentation. The building’s design blends baroque and classical styles, attributed to renowned architect Jose Martin de Aldehuela. Notable features include the intricately tiled ceiling, a statue of San Felipe Neri, and the Buenavista family shield displayed at the entrance.

The church endured damage during the French occupation and the Spanish Civil War but was restored in the 1970s and further repaired with support from Malaga’s city council and the Ministry of Culture in 1997-1998. It continues to host religious services and is home to four local brotherhoods, serving as a testament to its enduring spiritual and historical significance.