Iglesia de San Luis de los Franceses, Seville

Iglesia de San Luis de los Franceses is a Jesuit church, built in Seville between 1699 and 1731 and designed by Leonardo de Figueroa in the Baroque style. Its elaborate façade and twin octagonal towers announce a building conceived as much for symbolism as for worship. On the façade, notice the crowned Spanish arms above the central window, accompanied by three archangels.

Inside, the plan takes the form of a Greek cross beneath a cupola. Sixteen Solomonic columns appear to carry it, although the real support comes from four recessed stone pillars disguised by chapels, balconies and latticework. The church was created for a Jesuit novitiate, a place of training and spiritual discipline.

Its decoration repeats signs of monarchy and the Bourbon dynasty, especially the fleur-de-lis. The altarpieces contain convex Venetian mirrors that scatter and distort the light, while skulls keep mortality in view. Above the main entrance, paintings by Domingo Martínez present Saint Ignatius of Loyola over an image of divine wisdom.

The Jesuits left after their expulsion from Spain, and the complex later served as a seminary, convent, hospital, factory and hospice. The church survived the fires of 1936, and restoration has preserved much of its original design. The building now belongs to the Provincial Council of Seville.