Church of Nuestra Señora de la Esperanza facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Church of Nuestra Señora de la Esperanza |
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| Native name Spanish: Iglesia Parroquial de Nuestra Señora de la Esperanza |
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| Location | Peñas de San Pedro, Spain |
| Official name: Iglesia Parroquial de Nuestra Señora de la Esperanza | |
| Type | Non-movable |
| Criteria | Monument |
| Designated | 1978 |
| Reference no. | RI-51-0004305 |
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The Church of Nuestra Señora de la Esperanza (which means Our Lady of Hope Church in Spanish) is a beautiful old church in Peñas de San Pedro, Spain. It's a Roman Catholic church that was built a long time ago, in the 1700s! You can find it in the province of Albacete, in a part of Spain called Castile-La Mancha.
Contents
History of the Church
This church was named after Santa María de la Mayor Esperanza and Santa Librada Mártir. Building the church started in 1716. A master builder named Bartolomé de la Cruz Valdés and an architect named Cosme Carreras helped design it.
The main part of the church was finished and ready for use in 1747. However, some parts, like the tall tower, the round dome, and special chapels, took a bit longer. They were finally completed in 1797.
What's Inside?
The Dome and Paintings
Look up at the dome inside the church! You'll see paintings of four important figures in the Catholic church. These are Saint Augustine, Saint Ambrose, Saint Gregory, and Saint Jerome.
Higher up, among other saints, you can spot Santas Quiteria and Librada. There are also paintings of the archangels Michael, Raphael, and Gabriel. In the front part of the church, near the altar, you'll find pictures of St Thomas Villanova and San Fulgencio.
Main Entrance
The main entrance of the church is very fancy. It's carved in a special style called Baroque, which was popular in the 1700s. This beautiful entrance was finished in the 1740s.
Statues and Art
Inside, the church has many amazing wooden statues. These statues are painted with bright colors. Most of them were made by talented artists named Juan de Gea and Ignacio Castell.
The main altar piece, called the retablo, was also designed and carved by these artists. It was then covered in gold by Francisco and Gregorio Sánchez. The retablo also has paintings that tell stories from the New Testament, created by Bautista Suñer.
Special Recognition
Because of its history and beauty, the Church of Nuestra Señora de la Esperanza was declared a Bien de Interés Cultural in 1978. This means it's a very important cultural site in Spain, like a national treasure!
See also
In Spanish: Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de la Esperanza (Peñas de San Pedro) para niños
