Sanctuary of Loyola facts for kids

The Sanctuary of Loyola in Azpeitia, where Saint Ignatius was born.

The Sanctuary of Loyola is a special place in the Basque Country, Spain. It is a group of beautiful buildings built in an old, fancy style called Baroque. These buildings surround the house where Saint Ignatius of Loyola was born. He was the founder of a well-known religious group called the Society of Jesus, or the Jesuits.

This important sanctuary stands by the Urola River. It is in a neighborhood called Loyola, which means 'foundry made of clay' or 'hut made of clay'. The sanctuary is part of the town of Azpeitia.

Who was Saint Ignatius?

Ignatius of Loyola was born in 1491. His real name was Iñigo López de Loyola. He was the son of Beltrán Ibáñez de Oñaz and Marina Sánchez de Licona, who came from an important family. He was born right in his family home in Loyola.

After he passed away, his birthplace became a very respected place. In the 1600s, the house where he was born was given to the Society of Jesus. This group then built the Sanctuary of Loyola right next to their founder's birthplace.

Building the Sanctuary

The beautiful interior of the Basilica.

In 1900, the Society of Jesus asked an artist named Plácido Zuloaga to create a special altar for the sanctuary. Plácido Zuloaga was famous for his detailed metal artwork. He used a technique called damascening. This is a special way of putting gold and silver designs into iron.

Zuloaga's iron structure holds panels that show scenes from Saint Ignatius's life. It also supports a crucifix and candlesticks. These were made using the damascening technique by José Felipe Artamendi's workshop.

See also

• In Spanish: Santuario de Loyola para niños

Image Gallery

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  Internal view of the dome

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  The main altar

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  Interior view

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  Sanctuary of Loyola in Gipuzkoa by Jenaro Pérez Villaamil and Eugène Cicéri in 1850, in España artística y monumental

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  Ignatius of Loyola depicted wounded in Pamplona