The Jesuits' "Spiritual Cradle" – Sanctuary of Loyola

The Sanctuary of Loyola is one of the most important religious sites in the Basque region and a place of global significance in the history of Spanish Catholic spirituality. It is the birthplace and memorial of Saint Ignatius of Loyola, the founder of the Jesuits, and marks the starting point of the Saint Ignatius Pilgrimage Route. The entire "Sanctuary of Loyola" is a magnificent Baroque architectural complex. The central domed church was built between 1689 and 1738, with a circular floor plan symbolizing heaven and perfection; the huge dome stands 65 meters high with a diameter of 24 meters. The exterior is mainly composed of gray Basque stone, while the interior is richly decorated. It is considered one of the most splendid Baroque religious buildings in northern Spain. Saint Ignatius’s birthplace is located behind the church and is built in the medieval "tower house" style. Inside, his bedroom, prayer room, armor, and personal relics are preserved. This is the spiritual core of the entire sanctuary and a must-visit for pilgrims. Saint Ignatius was born into a Basque noble family and dreamed of becoming a "great court knight" in his youth. During the 1521 Battle of Pamplona, at about 30 years old, he was hit by a cannonball in both legs, shattering his lower legs and dislocating his kneecaps, suffering severe injuries. When carried down from the city walls, he remained calm and insisted on directing the defense until surrender. The military doctor first roughly reset the broken bones (without anesthesia). Because the bones were misaligned, Ignatius asked the doctor to break and reset them again. Despite this, his leg remained somewhat shorter, and he limped for life. It is said that Saint Ignatius did not cry out during the entire treatment and fainted several times. While bedridden, he asked his family for books to read—he originally wanted "knightly novels," but his family had none, only two religious books: "Lives of the Saints" and "The Life of Christ." At first, he read out of boredom, but gradually realized that the honor and love he had pursued were "earthly illusions," and the true battle was the "battle of the soul." He decided to become a "knight of the Lord," not a knight of the king. From then on, he gave up the military and wealth, donned a beggar’s robe, and went to Montserrat Monastery. In 1540, he founded the Society of Jesus (Jesuits). He died on July 31, 1556, at the age of 65, and his body was buried in the Church of Saint Ignatius in Rome.