Iglesia de San Miguel (Church of Saint Michael), Segovia

The Church of Saint Michael is situated in the Plaza Mayor of Segovia, within the fortified walls of the city that have been designated as a Historic Site since July 12, 1941. This church holds great significance as a center of community life and organization, intimately connected to the history and collective memory of Segovia. It served not only as a place of worship but also as a political and administrative hub, witnessing important events and hosting public activities. For instance, the coronation of Queen Isabella the Catholic took place within its walls, and its atrium functioned as the meeting place for the city council.

Following the collapse of the original Romanesque temple of San Miguel in 1532, a decision was made in 1536 to construct a new church in a slightly shifted location. The construction of the new church was completed in 1587, representing the final phase of Gothic architecture. The architectural design, spatial arrangement, and vaulting system of the Church of Saint Michael suggest the influence of Rodrigo Gil de Hontañón, the master builder associated with the construction of the new Segovia Cathedral. As the successor to the vanished Romanesque temple, the Church of Saint Michael retains its ancient dedication and incorporates materials salvaged from the previous structure, both on its exterior and interior.

The church boasts several remarkable features, including the funerary complexes found in the Rueda chapel. These complexes house the alabaster tombs of the alderman Diego de Rueda and his wife, created by the workshop of Juan Rodríguez. Additionally, the chapel dedicated to the illustrious Segovian doctor Laguna (1510-1559) is a noteworthy space. Dr. Laguna, a respected physician, humanist, and philologist who enjoyed prestige at the courts of Emperor Charles V and Pope Julius III, is honored in this chapel. It is regarded as one of the most exceptional spaces of its kind in Segovia.