Explore the Crypt in the Collegiate Church of Pastrana
Discover the resting place of the Princess of Eboli, as well as other illustrious historical figures
By Tapestry Parish Museum of Pastrana
Museo Parroquial de Tapices de Pastrana
The Crypt of the Collegiate (13th century-17th century) by Pedro González de MendozaTapestry Parish Museum of Pastrana
The Crypt in the Collegiate Church of Pastrana is another point of exceptional artistic and historical interest. Directly below the church's chancel, underground, is the crypt of the vault containing the mortal remains of the Dukes of Pastrana, along with other illustrious families of the Mendoza lineage.
Tomb of Fray Pedro Gonzalez de Mendoza (13th century-17th century) by Pedro González de MendozaTapestry Parish Museum of Pastrana
It includes the sarcophagus of Friar Pedro González de Mendoza, Bishop of Sigüenza, and Archbishop of Granada and Zaragoza. Son of the Prince and Princess of Eboli, he was a great benefactor of the collegiate church. His patronage enabled the temple to be extended in the 17th century, when the family vault was built. He died in Sigüenza in 1639.
The Crypt of the Collegiate (13th century-17th century) by Pedro González de MendozaTapestry Parish Museum of Pastrana
Two tombs (13th century-17th century) by Pedro González de MendozaTapestry Parish Museum of Pastrana
Here we can see the pair of sarcophagi belonging to the first Duke and Duchess of Pastrana, and Prince and Princess of Eboli.
The upper coffin holds the mortal remains of Ana de Mendoza de la Cerda, better known as the Princess of Eboli. The lower coffin holds the remains of her husband, Ruy Gómez de Silva, first Duke of Pastrana.
Princess of Eboli (17th century) by Alonso Sánchez CoelloTapestry Parish Museum of Pastrana
The figure of the Princess of Eboli attracts visitors from all over the world. She was one of the most talented women of the period, and considered one of the most beautiful ladies in the Spanish court.
An ambitious aristocrat, with great influence in the court, she lived out her final days in prison by order of Philip II.
Her image is iconic due to the eyepatch she wore.
There are different theories regarding what caused the loss of her right eye, but the most widely acknowledged is that the princess was injured during her childhood by a foil wielded by a page.
The detail, however, is unclear; perhaps she was not blind in one eye, but merely had a squint, although there is little evidence mentioning this physical defect.
Chapel in the pantheon (13th century-17th century) by Pedro González de MendozaTapestry Parish Museum of Pastrana
The vault's chapel was built in 1859 as a later extension to the crypt, which was constructed in 1637.
In the 19th century, the crypt adopted its current layout as a Latin cross. Many of the remains within it come from the Convent of Saint Francis in Guadalajara; they had to be moved in 1859 following the destruction and desecration carried out by the French on the vault of the Mendoza family—who held the titles of Dukes of the Infantado.
The remains of the first Marquis of Santillana, Don Iñigo López de Mendoza, can probably be found in the crypt in Pastrana. The author was famous for his “Serranillas.”
The Crypt of the Collegiate (13th century-17th century) by Pedro González de MendozaTapestry Parish Museum of Pastrana
A project promoted by the Provincial Council of Guadalajara, Spain.
Coordination: Aurora Batanero and Mario González Somoano.
Production and realization: Laura Domínguez and Fernando Toquero.
Photographs: Alfonso Romo, Enrique Delgado, Nacho Abascal, Laura Domínguez and Fernando Toquero.
Translation: Miguel Ángel Muñoz Lobo.
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