Iglesia de la Gratitud Nacional – Architecture

The Gratitud Nacional church was designed with a Neo-Gothic style inspiration, but with a strong formal synthesis. Exterior structure reveals the inner nave layout. A Latin cross shape is observed, with a transept crossing the main naves.

Temple entrance comprises three porches, being the central one the largest. Doors are crowned with pointed arches, typical of the style used in this construction. A detail in the central arch is slightly ogee-shaped generating archivolts in order to define differences in the importance of the lateral doors that are also smaller. Main door is crowned with another pointed arch containing a window for indoor lighting. Main door contains a parallelepiped-shaped structure, embellished in its corners by hexagonal pillars. The upper end is decorated with different ogival shapes and molded elements, ending up in a small triangular element as a pediment. It should be noted that, according to Cremonesi’s original project, this structure was the supporting basis of a large and tall neo-Gothic tower that could be seen from different points of the city. Such a tower has not been built yet.

The lateral parts of the structure display certain constructive elements imitating rustic flying buttresses. These structural shapes typical of Gothic style were used for containing and distributing forces that break down by using vitreaux in walls.

Inside the temple, structure has a Latin cross shape, divided into three naves with very narrow lateral parts, almost merely decorative. Naves are separated with fasciculated pillar arcades supporting intercolumniations crowned with pointed arches. Nave ceiling is covered by a ribbed vault with its ribs entirely differentiated in white, contrasting with a darker background.

As a crown, apse area is located at the end of the central nave. Main altar is decorated with a pictorial work.