Church of Nuestra Señora de la Asunción (Meco) Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Church of Nuestra Señora de la Asunción
Native name Spanish: Parroquia de Nuestra Señora de la Asunción

Location	Meco, Spain

Spanish Property of Cultural Interest
Official name: Parroquia de Nuestra Señora de la Asunción
Type	Non-movable
Criteria	Monument
Designated	1982
Reference no.	RI-51-0004599

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The Church of Nuestra Señora de la Asunción is a beautiful old church located in Meco, Spain. Its name in Spanish is Parroquia de Nuestra Señora de la Asunción. This special church was officially recognized as a Bien de Interés Cultural in 1982. This means it's a very important historical building in Spain.

History of the Church
- Famous Visitors and Builders
Church Architecture
- Building Style and Features
- Materials and Later Additions
Inside the Church
Pictures of the church
See also

History of the Church

This church is very old. People believe it existed even before the year 1487. We know for sure that parts of the church you see today were already there in 1568.

Famous Visitors and Builders

A famous writer named Ambrosio de Morales once wrote about important relics passing through Meco. These were the relics of Santos Justo y Pastor, on their way to Alcalá de Henares.

Some records say the church was started in 1548. A talented architect from Cantabria, Juan Ribero, designed the church. He worked on it from the very beginning until it was finished. Sadly, he passed away in 1598. Ribero also put the special tiles in the main chapel.

Church Architecture

The design of the Church of Nuestra Señora de la Asunción shows the clear influence of another famous architect, Diego de Siloe. You can see similarities in the church's layout, columns, and roof style. For example, de Siloe's work on the Granada Cathedral in 1528 inspired parts of this church.

Building Style and Features

Ribero's church has a Gothic style. This means it features tall, pointed arches and strong, ribbed vaults in the ceiling.

The church has a rectangular shape. Inside, it is divided into three main sections, called naves. All three sections are the same height. The middle section is wider than the two on the sides. Thick columns separate these sections. These columns have classical cornices and capitals at their tops. The late-Gothic roof ribs rest on these columns.

Materials and Later Additions

The first four parts of the church are made of stone. The dome and the altar area are built from brick. They have special limestone trim at the corners. The church also has four strong buttresses on each side. These are supports that help hold up the walls.

The dome's section from the 18th century was designed by Teodoro Ardemans. He was a very important architect for King Philip V of Spain. The main dome, called a cupola, was built by Feliciano, Julian, and Casimiro Cornejo. These builders constructed many churches near Madrid, Toledo, and Guadalajara in the late 1700s.

Inside the Church

When you enter the church, you'll see two small, old holy water basins. They are from the Renaissance period and stand on special Ionic pillars.

Altars and Chapels

In the right aisle (side section), there is a large altarpiece dedicated to Santa Rita. An altarpiece is a decorated screen or panel behind the altar. This one is in a Baroque style with golden Corinthian columns. Eight angels are carved at the top. On the altar, there is a painting of Saint Pastor.

On one side of the main nave, there is a chapel dedicated to the Virgen del Carmen. This chapel has a beautiful gate from the 17th century. It also has a neoclassical altarpiece.

The Main Chapel

The main chapel is dedicated to the church's patron saint. It has a beautiful golden altarpiece that was restored recently. The original image of the Virgin and some angels were lost during the Spanish Civil War (1936–39). At the very top, there is a large Baroque carving of the Trinity.

Below the main image of the Assumption, you can see carvings of Santos Justo y Pastor. There is also a group with important Church Fathers, Saint Augustine and Saint Gregory. These carvings are very impressive in their size and detail. They remind people of the famous sculptor Francisco Salzillo from Murcia.

Old Paintings and Tabernacle

The church used to have an even older altarpiece from 1537. This one was in a late Gothic style. It had 12 panel paintings showing scenes from the life of the Virgin Mary and Jesus. Six of these paintings are still preserved today. They are about 1.20 meters by 1 meter in size. All of them are works by Juan Correa de Vivar. These paintings have been restored and are considered very important cultural treasures. The preserved paintings show:

The Annunciation
The Visitation
The Adoration of the Shepherds
The Adoration of the Kings (where Charles V is shown as King Gaspar)
Veronica
The Descent

The tabernacle used today is gold with enamel. It looks like the front of the Romanesque altar of Avia.

Left Aisle and Tomb

On the wall of the left aisle, there is another Baroque altar. This one is dedicated to Mary Immaculate. It features angels around the image. On the altar, you'll find a painting of San Justo. Below this area is the Sacristy, where valuable church ornaments are kept.

In the nave, there is a 16th-century chapel. It is closed off by large, decorative wrought-iron railings. On the left side of this chapel, there is a marble tomb. It has a family crest and a Latin message that means "Kidnapped by death." This tomb holds the remains of Dr. Juan Gutierrez and his relatives. He was a very educated man. On the floor, there are two more tombstones. One mentions Dr. Juan Gutierrez Sanz as the "father of the chapel." It says he celebrated the feast of the Immaculate Conception there for over forty years. He also donated a lamp and founded something important.