Church of Nuestra Señora de la Mayor, Soria facts for kids
The Church of Nuestra Señora de la Mayor is a beautiful old Roman Catholic church located in Soria, a city in Castile and León, Spain. It's a special place where people go to worship and learn about history.
This church was built a long time ago, in the 1500s. It was actually built on top of an even older church called Saint Giles. That first church was built way back in the 1100s or 1200s! The short, square tower you see today was part of that original, very old building.
Outside the Church
When you look at the outside of the church, especially the southern wall, you'll see a special entrance. This doorway is from the old Romanesque style. It has three curved arches, called archivolts, and decorated tops on the columns, known as capitals.
Right next to this entrance, there's a bronze statue. It was made in 2012 by an artist named Ricardo Gonzalez Gil. The statue shows a famous person from Soria named Leonor Izquierdo Cuevas. She is dressed in the style of clothes people wore during her time.
Inside the Church
The inside of the church is designed with a main open space, called a nave. The ceiling above the nave is shaped like a series of arches, known as a ribbed vault. On each side of the nave, there are two smaller walkways, called aisles. These aisles have ceilings shaped like half-cylinders, which are called barrel vaults.
You'll also see a special wooden area called the choir. This part, made of walnut wood, was built in 1523. It's not completely clear where it came from originally. Some people think it might have been moved here from another church, like the collegiate church of San Pedro or the abbey of La Merced.
A very large and impressive piece of art inside is the altarpiece. This big artwork was created by Francisco de Agreda in 1571. It shows influences from another artist named Juan de Juni. The style of the altarpiece is a mix of two art styles: plateresque and Mannerism. Plateresque is known for its very detailed, silver-like decorations. Mannerism is a style that came after the Renaissance, often with dramatic and emotional figures.
Keeping the Church Safe
The Church of Nuestra Señora de la Mayor is very old, so it needs a lot of care. In the 1800s, a big part of the church had to be rebuilt. This was done to stop it from falling apart. Because it's such an important historical building, it was officially named a national monument in Spain in 1929. This means it's protected and preserved for future generations to enjoy.
Images for kids
-
The impressive altarpiece inside the church.
See also
In Spanish: Iglesia de Santa María la Mayor (Soria) para niños
