IAPH. Instituto Andaluz del Patrimonio Historico

The Church of Santo Cristo de la Salud of cultural interest, is one of the most important religious buildings of the city of Malaga. It's located in one of the most emblematic places of the city, next to the Plaza Mayor, currently, Plaza de la Constitucion, hence protected as a Site of Cultural Interest (BIC).

Its origins can be found in the chapel and hospital of San Sebastian. In 1573 it was assigned by Bishop Francis White Salcedo to the Compañía de Jesús, who carried out the foundation, made up of a complex of buildings that connected a school, a church as a central axis and articulator of faith and a designated area for convent, which was at the same time the residence for fathers and brothers.

The construction works were carried out, as usual, by architects and master builders who were part of the order. The most prominent were architect Father Giuseppe Valeriano, the architect brother Pedro Sanchez as well as the architect and assembler brother Francisco Diaz del Ribero, and the painter brother Andrés Cortés.

The temple was consecrated on September 28, 1630 and dedicated to San Sebastian, in memory of the old chapel. Its internal decoration went on for decades.

 The Compañía de Jesús continued to participate in the social and cultural life of the city until the dawn of April 3, 1767, when by royal decree issued by Carlos III, the expulsion of all Jesuits from the territory of the Kingdom of Spain was ordered, thus being arrested and deported to the Papal States, and confiscated all their properties.

The school and church of San Sebastian maintained their religious and educational use, but led by other agents. The church was ceded to the bishopric in 1769, being destined for Royal Schools of Latin and rhetoric, through various institutions throughout the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, maintaining their teaching character to date.

After various events occurring throughout the nineteenth century, the church changed its dedication with the transfering of the image of Santo Cristo de la Salud from a chapel in which it was revered by the municipal corporation.