The
Church of San Fructuoso
is also known as the temple of Angustias de Abaixo or Real Angustia and is located at the beginning of Rúa das Hortas.
Specifically, it is located at the back of the Pazo de Raxoi, a few meters from the Praza do Obradoiro and, therefore, from the Cathedral of Santiago.
Records indicate that the place housed the small chapel of the Vera Cruz in 1510, which kept this name until the middle of the 17th century. This was located in the cemetery of the old Hospital.
Around 1750, it was decided to replace this chapel with a larger one in the same place. The construction of this new temple, in baroque style, was in charge of Lucas Ferro Caaveiro.
The building has a very common floor plan that tends to be central and is presided over by a large half-orange dome that organizes the interior space. At this point, both the main altarpiece and the collateral ones stand out, which were elaborated and added to the ensemble once the building was finished.
The main façade is the most outstanding element of the temple, like a great curtain that develops vertically and full of symbolism. Above the main door there is a niche with the figure of the Pietà and a coat of arms of Spain.
Among its different elements, its enormous dome and the decoration on the upper cornice of its façade stand out, which is designed to be observed from a higher level (as it is located down the stairs of the Praza do Obradoiro).
There are the ‘Four Jacks’, representing the ‘Cardinal Virtues’, which surround the central bell tower: Prudence, Justice, Fortitude and Temperance. These sculptures are the work of the artists Gregorio Fernández and Francisco de Lens.
The property is open to public visits from Monday to Saturday, from 10:30 am to 2:00 pm. It is also maintained as a regular place of worship on Saturdays (17:30), and Sundays and holidays (10:00).
