May 10 Free guided visit to the church of Nuestra Señora de la Asunción in Molina de Segura

The main church of Molina de Segura is an impressive baroque structure housing important works of religious art

This free guided tour takes visitors inside the splendid church of Nuestra Señora de la Asunción in the centre of Molina de Segura, which was built in the mid-18^th century outside the old medieval city walls and has become the most important historic monument in the town. Among the highlights of the interior are the presbytery, created by Bernabé Gil, the dome (painted by Manuel Muñoz Barberán) and the chapel of San Vicente, and there are various other important examples of religious artwork.

The tour begins in the Plaza de la Iglesia at 18.00 and although it is free of charge prior registration is required online here.

Bookings and further information are also available from the tourist office of Molina de Segura (Calle Pensionista 3, telephone 968 388522, email oficinadeturismo@molinadesegura.es).

The church of Nuestra Señora de la Asunción

The largest and oldest surviving church is at the southern end of the main pedestrian thoroughfare of Molina, the Paseo de los Rosales, and prior to its construction the main place of worship was higher up in the district where the Moorish castle was built, on top of the hill which overlooks the River Segura.

By the early 18^th century, though, the population of Molina was growing, and by 1746 work had begun on the new, larger place of worship in which a new sculpture of the Virgin of the Assumption was to be housed, with the building located on land donated for the purpose by a member of the congregation. The sculpture was adorned with a 17-ounce silver crown for Mary and another smaller one for the Infant Jesus weighing 15 ounces, but as was the case throughout Molina the advent of the Civil War coincided with the disappearance and probable destruction of these items. Replacements were supplied by Bernabé Gil Riquelme in the 1940s, and are heavily featured in the fiestas in honour of the Virgen de la Asunción which are held every September in Molina de Segura.

The church was consecrated on 30th November 1765, and is built in the baroque style similar to the church of the Gesú in Rome. Inside it is purported to contain a finger belonging to the patron saint of Molina, San Vicente Mártir.

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