Parroquia San Fermín de los Navarros

Gazing upwards, the intricate brickwork of the Parroquia San Fermín de los Navarros seems to tell a story. The church stands proudly on Paseo de Eduardo Dato. It replaced an older church also dedicated to Saint Fermín. This original church was demolished to make way for the Bank of Spain. The current Parroquia San Fermín de los Navarros isn’t just a building. It’s a testament to the devotion of the Navarrese people in Madrid. Their original congregation began in 1673. A group of devout Navarrese, living in Madrid, founded the Real Congregación de San Fermín de los Navarros. They initially venerated a relic of their patron saint in a chapel at the Convent of San Francisco de Paula. They soon sought a more permanent home. The congregation first moved to the Church of the Trinidad on Calle Atocha. Later, they acquired land between Calle del Turco and the Prado de San Jerónimo. This land was eventually sold to the Bank of Spain. The sale allowed the congregation to build the Parroquia San Fermín de los Navarros we see today. The land was owned by Isabel de Borbón. The church was designed by architects Eugenio Jiménez Corera and Carlos Velasco Peinado. Construction took place between 1886 and 1890. The inauguration, attended by the Infanta, took place on July 6, 1890. The church beautifully blends Neo-Mudéjar and Gothic Revival styles. The Neo-Mudéjar style, with its distinctive brickwork, is prominent on the exterior. Look closely at the facade. You can see the intricate patterns created by the arrangement of the bricks. Some are even glazed in green and white. The main facade features the coats of arms of Navarre and Spain. It also houses a statue of San Fermín. This statue, created in 1958 by Fructuoso Orduna, is a copy of the original by Francisco Font y Pons. Inside, the Parroquia San Fermín de los Navarros embraces the Gothic style. The layout is a Latin cross, with three naves. The central nave is higher and wider than the side naves. Look up to admire the ribbed vaults and the starry vault over the crossing. The high altar, designed by architect José Yarnoz in the 20th century, features a wooden statue of San Fermín by Fructuoso Orduna. The church also houses a statue of San Francisco Javier, also by Orduna. A Baroque statue of the Virgen del Rosario from the 18th century is situated in the transept. The Parroquia San Fermín de los Navarros has seen its share of history. Sadly, some of its contents were lost during the Spanish Civil War. It stands as a symbol of resilience and devotion, a vibrant piece of Madrid’s rich tapestry.