Seville dazzles with its heritage at first glance, and yet it holds treasures that are not so obvious. Such is the interior of the Church of San Luis de los Franceses, whose façade is merely a taste of its majesty, or that of the Hospital de los Venerables, which you can visit completely free of charge this June.
A Site of Cultural Interest, part of Spain’s Historical Heritage, and one of the pinnacles of Sevillian Baroque, it opens its doors now that two valuable paintings from the 17th-century Sevillian School, attributed to Lucas Valdés, have returned .
Two works by Lucas Valdés return to the Venerables
The story behind these two works seems straight out of a mystery novel. They are two oil paintings on pine panel, featuring a characteristic vertical oval format. They were painted between 1698 and 1700, just as work on the church was being completed and its main altarpiece was being installed.
The pieces, titled Samson Removing the Honeycomb from the Lion’s Mouth and David Receiving the Showbread from Achimelech, were listed in the church’s historical inventories.
However, all trace of them was lost after they were exhibited at the 1929 Ibero-American Exposition. When the exhibition closed in 1930, the panels never returned to Los Venerables and remained hidden from public view for decades.
Apparently, the works appeared in an auction house catalog. Thanks to the swift intervention of the National Police’s Historical Heritage Brigade, the efforts of the Archdiocese of Seville, and the goodwill of their most recent owners, the sale was halted. After their authenticity was certified, the paintings have returned to the exact space for which they were conceived.
How long can you visit the Hospital de los Venerables for free?
Justino de Neve founded the Hospital de los Venerables in the 17th century in the heart of the Santa Cruz neighborhood to provide shelter for elderly and destitute priests.
The architectural complex bears the signature of great masters such as Juan Domínguez and Leonardo de Figueroa, and strolling through its naves—surrounded by the visual power of the frescoes by Valdés Leal and Lucas Valdés himself—is an awe-inspiring experience.
From May 30 through June 30, you can stop by the church Monday through Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
