Iglesia de San Luis de los Franceses, Seville

The San Luis de los Franceses Church, situated in Seville, is a fine example of 18th-century Baroque architecture. Designed by architect Leonardo de Figueroa, it was built from 1699 to 1730 for the Jesuits. However, after the Jesuits were expelled from Spain in 1835, the church was repurposed and eventually lost its religious status. It's now owned by the Provincial Council of Seville.

The Jesuits first came to Seville in 1554, setting up a church, a professed house, and a novitiate. Of these, only the Church of the Annunciation remains today.

In the early 1600s, Lucia de Medina donated land for a new, larger Jesuit complex, stipulating that she be buried in the chapel and the church named after her patron, Saint Louis (Louis IX of France). He was a medieval king and the elder brother of King Ferdinand III, known for reconquering Seville.

The Provincial Council of Seville currently owns the church and has funded its restoration since 1984. They've collaborated with the Seville Endesa Foundation to enhance its artistic lighting. The latest renovations, completed in September 2016, have made the church and its artworks accessible to the public.

The church's design aligns with the analemma, or the sun's path, ensuring the western altar is bathed in light, especially during spring. The main entrance faces east, towards the sunrise. The altars of Saints Stanislaus Kostka and Francis Borgia, located to the north and south, respectively, are illuminated on their feast days.