Ermita de Santa Catalina de Mérida - Mérida, Badajoz, España - Roman Catholic Churches on Waymarking.com

"La ermita estuvo abierta al culto durante varios siglos, de hecho fué sinagoga en sus inicios y más tarde pasó a albergar el culto cristiano, tras la expulsión de los judíos de España en 1492. Durante el siglo XV y XVI adquirió cierta importancia y fué reformada, transformándose en una ermita de tres naves, pero aun así conservando algunos elementos de su pasado judío.

Ya a finales del XVII comenzó su decadencia y deterioro hasta ser prácticamente abandonada. Finalmente fue derribada en 1977 tras ser expropiada junto al Palacio de los Condes de los Corbos.

El altar mayor de ladrillo y mampostería, que en su día albergó la imagen de Santa Catalina, conserva tres hornacinas y restos de la policromía que un día tuvieron sus muros.
Realmente la decisión de derribar los restos del templo no estuvo exenta de polémica, al igual que la toma de decisiones respecto al espacio en torno al templo de Diana. Las últimas reformas tal vez hayan contribuido a reforzar esa sensación de constricción y ahogo en el espacio, utilizándose materiales industriales como el hormigón y el metal. Los escasos restos de la Ermita de Santa Catalina han sido aún más relegados a un segundo plano."

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"The chapel was open to worship for several centuries; in fact, it was originally a synagogue and later became a Christian place of worship after the expulsion of the Jews from Spain in 1492. During the 15th and 16th centuries, it gained some importance and was renovated, becoming a three-nave chapel, while still retaining some elements of its Jewish past.

By the end of the 17th century, it began to decline and deteriorate until it was practically abandoned. It was finally demolished in 1977 after being expropriated along with the Palace of the Counts of Corbos.

The brick and masonry main altar, which once housed the image of Saint Catherine, preserves three niches and remains of the polychrome that once graced its walls.
In truth, the decision to demolish the remains of the temple was not without controversy, as was the decision regarding the space around the Temple of Diana. The latest renovations may have contributed to reinforcing this sense of constriction and Suffocating in space, industrial materials such as concrete and metal were used. The few remains of the Hermitage of Santa Catalina have been further relegated to the background.

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Type of Church: Chapel Status of Building: Unrestored ruin Date of building construction: 01/01/1492 Diocese: Mérida-Badajoz Address/Location: C. Sta. Catalina, 06800 Mérida, Badajoz Mérida, Badajoz España 06800 Relvant Web Site: [Web Link] Date of organization: Not listed Dominant Architectural Style: Not listed Associated Shrines, Art, etc.: Not listed Archdiocese: Not listed

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Date Logged Log User Rating   06/01/2025 GURUGU visited it