Teresian Basilica

The Basilica’s origin dates back to 1898, when on October 15 of that year, the Most Reverend Father Cámara, Bishop of Salamanca, realizing the inadequacy of the Church of the Sepulchre of Saint Teresa of Jesus in Alba de Tormes for such a large crowd, shouted before everyone:

“Saint Teresa asks for a temple, and we cannot deny her.”

The project was soon drawn up by the architect Enrique María Repullés y Vargas, and the works began, in keeping with this return to the medieval style of 19th-century architecture: the style that best embodies Christian sentiment is Gothic.

The work officially began on May 1, 1898, with the laying of the first stone.

The Basilica begins with the Church that houses the Sepulchre, designed in the shape of a Latin cross, with a wide central nave for the large crowds and two narrower side naves to accommodate the main nave and house the chapels.

It rests on a firm foundation of masonry and reinforced concrete. It continues with a granite plinth from Martinamor and walls of golden stone from Villamayor de la Armuña (Salamanca).

Its size is striking, measuring 100 meters long, 70 meters wide, and 92 meters high.

After 20 years, coinciding with the First World War, construction was halted due to the prevailing climate and the lack of financial resources to maintain the church. The interior chapels were built between 1927 and 1932.

Construction remained halted until 1982, when it was resumed in connection with the visit of Pope John Paul II on November 1, 1982, to commemorate the 4th Teresian Centenary.

Since then, work has continued, having to cope with the passage of time since its inception and with a new project due to the impossibility of resuming the original. These works have enabled the apse to be used for the celebration of the Ages of Man “Teresa of Jesus: Teacher of Prayer” in 2015 and other cultural events.

Currently, the interior can be visited with the exhibition THE SPLENDOR OF PAINTING IN VALENCIA. Outside, the statues of Pope John Paul II located next to the door and of Saint Teresa of Jesus by sculptor Venancio Blanco in the Plaza del Peregrino.