Oratory of San Felipe Neri

The oratory of San Felipe Neri, in Cadix

The oratory of San Felipe Neri is a baroque building of the end of the seventeenth century, remarkable for its elliptical plan rare in Spain, and one of the places most laden with history of Cadix. The Cadix audio-guided tour stops here, with respect, to evoke this sanctuary where the first Spanish Constitution, nicknamed La Pepa, was proclaimed in 1812, and that shelters an Immaculate Conception by Murillo.

The cradle of the Constitution of 1812

Here stands the oratory of San Felipe Neri, a baroque building constructed at the end of the seventeenth century, remarkable for its elliptical plan, an oval shape rare in Spain, without interior columns, that creates a perfectly clear space and an exceptional acoustic. It is this singular architecture that earned it to enter history, and it is fitting to evoke it with respect. At the beginning of the nineteenth century, when Spain was invaded by the Napoleonic troops, Cadix remained one of the rare free towns and became the refuge of the government. In 1811, the deputies of the Cortes of Cádiz settled here, in this oratory whose shape lent itself ideally to a hemicycle. On the 19th of March 1812, they approved there the first Spanish Constitution, nicknamed La Pepa, symbol of liberty for the whole country and founding text of liberalism. Inside, to be discovered in contemplation, do not miss the great dome rebuilt after the earthquake of 1755, as well as the Immaculate Conception by Murillo that dominates the high altar, one of the finest baroque paintings of Cadix. Around the nave, the chapels and their polychrome marbles recall the links of the town with Italy and Genoa, while outside, plaques pay tribute to the deputies come from all the empire. A baroque sanctuary and a cradle of liberty, the oratory of San Felipe Neri is discovered with respect.

What to see

Here you discover, with respect, a baroque oratory of the end of the seventeenth century with a rare elliptical plan, without interior columns; it is here that the Cortes of Cádiz proclaimed on the 19th of March 1812 the first Spanish Constitution, La Pepa, when Cadix resisted Napoleon. Inside, the great dome and the Immaculate Conception by Murillo that dominates the high altar. The oratory of San Felipe Neri is the cradle of liberty in Cadix. It is a stop to be discovered with respect.

Practical information

The oratory of San Felipe Neri lies in the heart of the historic centre of Cadix, reachable on foot. A place of worship and a historic monument, it can be visited with respect; entry and hours follow the conditions in force, which vary. It is best to enquire before coming and to respect the sacred character of the place.

Why is the oratory of San Felipe Neri of Cadix famous?

Because it is here that the Cortes of Cádiz approved, on the 19th of March 1812, the first Spanish Constitution, nicknamed La Pepa, when Cadix resisted the Napoleonic invasion; its rare elliptical plan, without columns, lent itself ideally to a hemicycle. The baroque oratory also shelters a dome and an Immaculate Conception by Murillo above the high altar.

Where is the oratory of San Felipe Neri in Cadix?

In the heart of the historic centre of Cadix, in Spain.