Basílica de San Juan de Dios — Attraction in Granada

The interior of this site is of course visually stunning. There are no visual displays describing what anything is. The audio guides are quite dull, voiced monotonously, and a bit soullessly pro-establishment. There is too much focus on the artists’ names and not enough about the context of the various things in this impressive basilica. It does feel a bit wrong that a monument to charity is slathered in gold of mystery origins. The atmosphere doesn’t feel reverent so much as it does covetous.

Aside from the dome, the most striking things about this place are the relics. One room contains the remains of various saints - particularly skulls - and a case containing one of them with their masked face propped up on their veiled, skeletonised hand, lying down. A child old enough to know what a skull is would be VERY scared by this so it could do with some warning. If you are interested in hagiography, you may like this. I studied this at university but I couldn’t help but be a bit disturbed by it all.

Is it worth visiting? Yes, but how much so depends on you. If you are an avid Catholic then of course. If you are agnostic, atheist or of another faith, and especially if you feel ambivalent at best towards discomfiting levels of gold in an organisation that purports to be charitable, then…

We bought tickets at the reception, no problem. Clean toilets.

30 mins would be enough but if you want to listen to the audio guides in full, you’d probably need a bit...

this is a magnificent church with phenomenal architecture. it's really quite breathtaking.

the reason for the low rating has everything to do with the staff on site when i was there on 26.11.22 between the hours of 15:00 and 17:30 or so. when i got to the top of the church in the dressing room, i was followed corner to corner by a blond haired, with brown roots staff worker. i didn't notice at first because i was so taken by the construction and golden towers. but every time i moved to another portion of the space or to connecting rooms, that staff worker was right behind me scowling and just generally being unpleasant. there were other non Black participants walking through the space as well, but they were not targeted the way i was and continued to be for the duration of my time in the place.

it's really baffling to me that my immaculate appearance and stunning skin tone elicits such responses. the last place i expected to experience it was in the halls of a church. i suggest that the basilica of saint john of god train their employees to deal with all types of people from all kinds of places and backgrounds.

granada doesn't even exist without Africans and their ingenuity so that bigot lady's behavior is laughable.

i usually don't write reviews, but folks should know how some people hired to work at this place treats...

The Basílica de San Juan de Dios is one of the most breathtaking Baroque churches I have ever visited. From the moment you step inside you are completely surrounded by golden altarpieces intricate carvings and an overwhelming sense of splendor that feels like stepping into another world.

The highlight is without doubt the main altarpiece a dazzling wall of gold angels and saints that dominates the sanctuary. The combination of sculpture painting and architecture is so rich and detailed that you can spend hours just admiring it. The dome and ceiling frescoes add even more beauty pulling your eyes upward as if heaven itself is opening above.

This basilica is not only about art it is also about devotion. The relics of St John of God the founder of the Hospitaller Order and patron saint of the sick are kept here. Knowing his history of service and charity adds great spiritual meaning to the place.

The church is not very large but every corner is filled with treasures silver reliquaries side chapels dedicated to saints and countless Baroque details. If you love history art or simply want to feel the richness of Granadas religious heritage this place is an absolute must.

Tip Take your time inside. The lighting changes during the day and every glance reveals something new you did not...