Art and faith

In the heart of the historic centre of Hondarribia stands the parish church dedicated to Saint Mary of the Assumption and the Apple Tree. The temple was built thanks to the deep faith of the people of this town and throughout the centuries countless travellers, merchants and pilgrims have visited it to seek moments of meditation and prayer on their way to Compostela.

We welcome you and invite you to visit this magnificent temple built on the fragments of the medieval wall on the site of the primitive Romanesque temple.

Its construction began in the second half of the 15^th century. Legend has it that the first stone was laid in 1471 by the Count of Armagnac together with a diamond ring, but possibly the work began years later in 1474.

The construction of the temple coincides with a very turbulent period politically and militarily. This fact greatly affects its construction, for which the modernization of the fortifications is prioritized, forcing the transfer of material from the religious work. To this was added a time of paralysis of the works due to the fact that the height of the transept hindered the military work of the castle. A later decree of Queen Isabella of Castile allowed the town council to build the church transept according to the wishes of the inhabitants of Hondarribia. After the first phase of construction was completed in 1549, the temple was consecrated by the Bishop of Bayona, P. Joanes de Gauna.

“The first stone of the foundation was laid by the Count of Armenac, a French knight, and a rich diamond ring with his name is under that stone in gratitude for the service that the town did, and it was a great mercy”

Testimony of the bachelor Zaldibia. 1560

After knowing these historical data, enter the sacred space where the carvings of the apostles Saint Peter and Saint Andrew, brothers and apostles of the Lord, guard the entrance. An extraordinary star-ribbed vault supports the choir. The larger medallion of the central key contains the image of the Virgin with the Child. In the left angle of the vault, a castle with a rampant lion on each side represents the coat of arms of the city of Bayonne. The parish belonged to that diocese at the time of its construction.

Let’s start the visit by going to the nave of the Epistle, located to the right of the main entrance. Here we see a striking Calvary with its usual iconographic composition; Jesus Christ on the cross, accompanied by his mother, the Virgin Mary and the apostle Saint John. Above the set, there is a colourful stained glass window of “the Baptism of Jesus Christ in the Jordan River”.

On the side wall is the baptistery and the baptismal font, covered with a curious lid, in which the children of Hondarribia have received baptism for generations. Baptism is the foundation of the Christian life. It is the gateway to life in the Spirit and the gateway to the rest of the sacraments. By the Baptism we are freed from sin to become members of Christ and incorporated into his Church.

“I am telling you the truth. No one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit”

Saint John 3, 5

Below are two similar altarpieces. The first is the altarpiece of Saint Anthony of Padua, one of the few saints represented with the Child Jesus in his arms. The carvings of Saint Anton and another saint in sackcloth are on both sides, and in the attic there is an effigy of Saint John the Baptist.

In the adjoining altarpiece of the Virgin of the Pillar, the scene of her appearance to the Apostle Santiago in Zaragoza is represented. On both sides, two unknown saints, while the ensemble is crowned by the Archangel Saint Michael with the devil under his feet.

We continue our way until we reach the head of the nave to discover the baroque altarpiece of Our Lady of the Rosary. The main carving, which occupies the central niche of the altarpiece, has fine features and great serenity. Mary appears as a young mother who presents her Son and puts her right arm forward, bringing her rosary closer to us. The image is accompanied by the figures of Saint Augustine and another saint. In the upper body, between sober columns, is the figure of Saint Dominic de Guzman, founder of the Dominicans; escorted by those of Saint Catherine of Alexandria and another saint. The attic is topped by the image of the Eternal Father, and two allegorical figures, the Fortress and Justice, were later placed at the ends. They are two of the cardinal virtues that complement the theological virtues, Faith, Hope and Charity.

“Come to me, all of you who are tired from carrying heavy loads, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke and put it on you, and learn from me, because I am gentle and humble in spirit; and you will find rest. For the yoke I will give you is easy, and the load I will put on you is light”

Saint Matthew 11, 28-30

Now you come to the base of the altar where the main altarpiece is presided over by Our Lady of the Assumption and the Apple Tree, to whose invocation the temple is dedicated. The current altarpiece, in the neo-Gothic style, was inaugurated on September 8, 1914, the feast of the city’s patron saint. It stands out for its slender architecture and its golden polychrome and is separated from the wall so as not to cover the windows of the apse that opens to the east as is usual in Christian temples. The sun rises from the east, symbol of Christ, which illuminates us and gives us life like Christ.

The previous altarpiece was destroyed by fire and only the delicate carving of Ecce Homo, located in the tabernacle and the figures of the apostles Saint John and Saint Andrew, located in the lower part of the altarpiece, could be saved.

The majestic image of Our Lady of the Assumption and the Apple Tree, in the Baroque style, centres the whole complex. This work, originally from a Neapolitan workshop, arrived in Hondarribia in 1753. The Mother of God holds her son in her left arm, while in her right hand she holds an apple, a symbol that reinforces the idea of the wisdom of the Son of God. Flanking the image of Our Lady we can see the carvings of Saint Prudence and Saint Francis of Assisi on the left, while on the right we can see those of Saint Teresa of Jesus and Saint Ignatius of Loyola, patron saint of Gipuzkoa and founder of the Jesuits.

We continue the visit by going to the nave of the Gospel. At the head is the altarpiece of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Along with the image of the Lord, we distinguish that of Saint Roch, which shows the sores on his leg and is accompanied by a dog. This animal, which would help him in his moments of need, is a sign of Providence and is always included in the iconography of the saint. There is also the arrow-filled effigy of Saint Sebastian, a martyr with great devotion in times past because he is the patron of the dying and protector against the plague.

The image of Saint Peter, clothed as a pontiff and seated in his chair while blessing with his right hand, occupies the central niche of the upper body. He is escorted by Saint Andrew with his characteristic cross in X and Saint Paul.

At the bottom of this attractive altarpiece, at the foot of the image of the Sacred Heart, the greatest treasure that we can find in this temple seems to go unnoticed, the Eucharistic Presence of the Lord in the Tabernacle. The living Christ has saved and redeemed us; he has freely given us eternal life and is always by our side.

“For God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not die but have eternal life”

Saint John 3, 16

Going past the door of Saint Jerome, the oldest in the church, and a sober carving of the Crucified Christ on a red background, we can see similar altarpieces in the Churrigueresque style from the early 18^th century. The first of them is that of the Virgin of Sorrows whose image occupies the central niche. The Mother of the Lord appears mourning before the Passion and Death of her son. At the foot of it is a magnificently carved Reclining Christ with articulated arms. Both images appear in the processions of Holy Week in Hondarribia. A representation of the Holy Spirit completes the ensemble.

“Surely you know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit lives in you!”

I Corinthians 3, 16

Between Solomonic columns, the carving of Saint Joseph with the Child Jesus in his arms presides over the altarpiece. In the upper part we distinguish an interesting figure of the Immaculate Conception, while the relief of God the Father occupies the attic.

We are finishing our visit to the temple where we have combined art and faith. We wish that your visit was pleasant. Before leaving the temple to continue your journey, we invite you to have a moment of recollection and prayer, to sit in silence before the welcoming presence of Our Mother the Virgin Mary, meditating on her life of dedication and gratitude. Or simply, you can praise and give glory to the Lord in front of the Tabernacle. For this, we put at your disposal some prayers that can be useful and various links to learn more about the life of the Saints in the altarpieces.

“Our salvation is a gift of the blood of Christ. Everything is a free gift from God and his love for us”

TO OUR LADY OF ASSUMPTION

Mary, Queen assumed into heaven, I rejoice that after years of heroic martyrdom on earth, you have at last been taken to the throne prepared for you in heaven by the Holy Trinity.

Lift my heart with you in the glory of your Assumption above the dreadful touch of sin and impurity. Teach me how small earth becomes when viewed from heaven. Make me realize that death is the triumphant gate through which I shall pass to your Son and that someday my body shall rejoin my soul in the unending bliss of heaven.

From this earth, over which I tread as a pilgrim, I look to you for help. I ask for this favour: (Mention your request). When my hour of death has come, lead me safely to the presence of Jesus to enjoy the vision of my God for all eternity together with you. Amen.

REMEMBER

Remember, oh Holy Virgin Mary!, that it has never been said that none who has go to your protection, imploring your help, has been forsaken.

Encouraged by this confidence, I come to You, Mother, Virgin of the virgins, and groaning under the weight of my sins, I dare to appear in front of You.

Mother of God, do not dismiss my supplications, listen them and accept them with kindness. Amen.

PILGRIM BLESSING

O God, you brought your servant Abraham out of the city of Ur of the Chaldeans, kept him on all his pilgrimages, and were the guide of the Hebrew people through the desert.

For this reason, we ask you, through the intercession of Saint John of Ortega, before whose grave we are, to deign to guard these children of yours who, for the love of your name, make a pilgrimage to Compostela.

Be a companion on the road for them, guide at the crossroads, breath in tiredness, defence in danger, shelter on the road, gentle breeze in the heat, shelter from the cold, light in the dark, comfort in their discouragements and firmness in their purposes so that, with your help, they reach the end of their journey well and, enriched with graces and virtues, they return home safe and sound, filled with eternal joy. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Help us

“For now there are faith, hope, and love. But of these three, the greatest is LOVE.” (1 Cor. 13, 13)

If you can much; much. If you can little; a little bit. If you can’t do anything; nothing.
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