Basilica of San Vicente facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Basilica of San Vicente |
|
|---|---|
|
Basílica de los Santos Hermanos Mártires, Vicente, Sabina y Cristeta
|
|
 |
|
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Roman Catholic |
| Status | Church |
| Location | |
| Location | Ávila, Spain |
| Architecture | |
| Architectural style | Romanesque |
| Criteria | Cultural: (iii), (iv) |
| Designated | 1985 (9th session) |
| Parent listing | Old Town of Ávila with its Extra-Muros Churches |
| Reference no. | 348-003 |
| Type | Non-movable |
| Criteria | Monument |
| 26 July 1882 | |
| RI-51-0000031 | |
The Basílica de los Santos Hermanos Mártires, Vicente, Sabina y Cristeta, usually called Basílica de San Vicente, is a very old church in Ávila, Spain. It is one of the best examples of Romanesque architecture in the country. This building style was popular in Europe a long time ago, known for its thick walls and round arches.
Contents
A Look Back: The Story of San Vicente
The story of the Basilica of San Vicente begins with a legend. It says that three Christian martyrs named Vicente, Sabina, and Cristeta were killed during the time of the Roman Emperor Diocletian. Their bodies were buried in a rock. Later, a church called a basilica was built right over their tombs.
Building the Basilica
In 1062, the remains of these martyrs were moved to a monastery far away. But in 1175, they were brought back to Ávila. That's when people started building a new basilica in the same spot. The construction was quite slow and stopped many times. It finally finished in the 1300s. This was thanks to the help of kings like Alfonso X and Sancho IV.
Inside and Out
The main part of the church, called the nave, and the side sections, called aisles, have special arched ceilings. Inside the basilica, you can find a statue of the Virgen de la Soterraña, 'Our Lady of the Underground'. She is considered the patron saint of the city.
The outside of the church has beautiful decorations, especially on the western and southern entrances. Inside, the most famous part is the cenotaph of the martyrs. A cenotaph is like a tomb, but it doesn't actually hold the bodies. This one is made of colorful stone and is a great example of Romanesque art.
What the Basilica Looks Like
The church is built using a type of rock found nearby. This rock is actually decomposed granite, which is a kind of stone that breaks down over time. Some people think that Giral Fruchel was the architect who designed it. He was important because he helped bring the Gothic style to Spain from France.
Church Layout
San Vicente is built in the shape of a Latin cross. This means it has a long main section and shorter parts that stick out on the sides, making it look like a cross from above. It has a main area (the nave) and two side aisles. These sections end in rounded parts called apses. The church also has a large transept (the arms of the cross), a ciborium (a canopy over the altar), an entrance area called an atrium, and a crypt (an underground room).
Protecting This Historic Place
The Basilica of San Vicente is a very important historical building. It is part of a World Heritage Site called "Old Town of Avila and its extra muros churches." This means it's recognized globally for its special cultural and historical value.
Outside the Walls
The basilica is listed as one of ten extra muros churches. This Latin phrase means "outside the walls." So, these are churches that are located just outside the old walled city of Ávila.
