Church of Nuestra Señora de la Mayor, Soria facts for kids
The Church of Nuestra Señora de la Mayor is a beautiful Catholic church located in Soria, a city in Castile and León, Spain. It's a very old building with a rich history.
This church was built in the 1500s. It stands on the site of an even older church called Saint Giles. That first church was built way back in the 1100s or 1200s, during the Romanesque period. The church's low, square tower is actually a part of that original, ancient building.
Contents
Discovering the Church of Nuestra Señora de la Mayor
What is the Church of Nuestra Señora de la Mayor?
The Church of Nuestra Señora de la Mayor is a historic Catholic church in Soria, Spain. It's known for its blend of old and newer architectural styles.
When was the Church of Nuestra Señora de la Mayor built?
The main church building you see today was built in the 16th century (the 1500s). However, it was constructed on the foundations of a much older Romanesque church from the 12th or 13th century (the 1100s or 1200s).
Exploring the Outside of the Church
The outside of the Church of Nuestra Señora de la Mayor has some interesting features.
The Romanesque Doorway
On the southern side of the church, you'll find a special doorway. It's a Romanesque style entrance, which means it's very old and has a distinct look. This doorway has three archivolts, which are decorative arches that frame the entrance. The columns supporting these arches have beautifully carved tops called capitals.
The Sculpture of Leonor Izquierdo
Right next to this old doorway, there's a bronze sculpture. It was created in 2012 by an artist named Ricardo Gonzalez Gil. The sculpture shows Leonor Izquierdo Cuevas, a famous person from Soria. She is dressed in the style of clothing from her time.
Inside the Church
When you step inside the Church of Nuestra Señora de la Mayor, you'll see a large main area called a nave. This area has a special ceiling called a ribbed vault, which looks like a series of stone ribs. On either side of the nave, there are two smaller sections called aisles. These aisles have barrel vaults, which are ceilings shaped like half-cylinders.
The Choir
The church has a beautiful wooden choir section made from walnut wood. It was built in 1523. No one is completely sure where this choir originally came from. It might have been moved here from another important church or a monastery.
The Altarpiece
One of the most impressive things inside the church is the huge altarpiece. An altarpiece is a large, decorated screen or panel behind the altar. This one was made by Francisco de Agreda in 1571. It shows influences from another famous artist named Juan de Juni. The style of the altarpiece is a mix of two art styles: plateresque, which is very detailed and decorative, and Mannerism, which came after the Renaissance.
Protecting a National Treasure
Why is the Church of Nuestra Señora de la Mayor important?
The Church of Nuestra Señora de la Mayor is important because of its long history and beautiful architecture. It shows how building styles changed over hundreds of years.
How is the church preserved?
Much of the church had to be rebuilt in the 1800s because it was starting to fall apart. Thanks to these efforts, it was saved from becoming a ruin. In 1929, the church was officially declared a national monument in Spain. This means it's a very important historical building that is protected by the government.
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