Church of San Lázaro in Palencia

Description

The church of San Lázaro (Palencia) has traditionally been linked to Rodrigo Díaz de Vivar, who founded the building in 1076. Originally it functioned as a hospital for pilgrims and sick people, something that can be read in the inscription on the door. However, at the beginning of the 16th century, the poor condition of the building led the knight Sancho de Castilla to rebuild it. He specified in his will that he wished to be buried in the church of San Lázaro: "I choose my burial and command that my body be buried when God our Lord is able to separate my soul from him, in the main chapel of the church of Señor Sant Lázaro" (Estrada, 2007). The construction of the chapel was entrusted to Bartolomé de Solórzano and Gaspar de Solórzano (Martínez, 1989). After completing the work, Juan de Flandes was commissioned to make an altarpiece to preside over the chapel (Silva Maroto, 2006). Throughout the 18th century, the building underwent alterations, mainly to the vaults. In spite of the improvements, the vaults continued to give problems, being necessary to execute a great reform in the middle of the 20th century. The altarpiece that Juan de Flandes made for the main chapel is scattered in different museums and institutions: in the Museo Nacional del Prado (Madrid) are the panels of the Resurrection of Lazarus, The Prayer in the Garden, The Coming of the Holy Spirit and the Ascension. In the National Gallery of Art (Washington) are the panels of the Adoration of the Magi, the Annunciation to the Virgin, the Nativity and the Baptism of Christ. Finally, in the Soumaya Museum (Mexico) is the panel of the Resurrection.

Bibliography

• ESTRADA, Julio (2007): "Noticias y documentos sobre la capilla mayor e iglesia de San Lázaro de Palencia", nº 78, Publicaciones de la Institución Tello Téllez de Meneses, pp. 295-342.
• MARTÍNEZ, Rafael (1989): La arquitectura gótica en la ciudad de Palencia, Diputación Provincial de Palencia, Palencia, pp. 77-81.
• SILVA MAROTO, Pilar (2006): Juan de Flandes, Caja Duero, Salamanca, p. 417.