Churriguera Family

Churriguera Family that including Jose Benito Churriguera (1665-1725), Joaquin Churriguera (1674-1724) and Alberto Churriguera (1676-1740) was belonged to spanish family of famous architects and craftsmen who developed the sumptuous, highly decorative “Churrigueresque” style.

Their father, Jose Rates y Dalmau (d. 1684), was a Catalan sculptor, employed by King Philip IV to design wooden altarpieces for churches around the country. His highly elaborate style, which incorporated elements of native South American art, was one of the formative influences on his sons’ architectural development.

The eldest son, Jose Benito, originally followed in his father’s footsteps by designing altarpieces. His huge altarpiece at the Church of San Esteban in Salamanca (1692-4) is a design of great power and coherence, featuring twisting and elaborate “Salomonic” columns. His principal work of architecture was a new town, Nuevo Baztan, planned and built between 1709 and 1713.

Jose’s brother Joaquin also started out designing altarpieces for churches and was eventually appointed master of the works at Salamanca Cathedral in 1714. Joaquin’s later work includes the Collegio de Calatrava in Salamanca, which was eventually completed by his younger brother Alberto.

Alberto de Churriguera’s early years were over-shadowed by his more experienced brothers, but he gradually developed into a leading talent in his own right. In 1725 he succeeded Joaquin at Salamanca Cathedral and three years later commenced work on the Plaza Mayor, the main square in Salamanca. His last works (churches at Orgaz and Rueda) remained unfinished, but typify his individual interpretation of the Spanish Rococo style.