Church of San Dionisio (Jerez de la Frontera) Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Church of San Dionisio
Native name Spanish: Iglesia de San Dionisio

Location	Jerez de la Frontera, Spain
Built	late 15th century
Architectural style(s)	Gothic-Mudéjar style

Spanish Property of Cultural Interest
Official name: Iglesia de San Dionisio
Type	Non-movable
Criteria	Monument
Designated	1964
Reference no.	RI-51-0001605

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The Church of San Dionisio (in Spanish, Iglesia de San Dionisio) is a beautiful old church in Jerez de la Frontera, a city in Spain. It was built a long time ago, in the late 1400s. Its style is a mix of Gothic and Mudéjar designs. Later, in the 1700s, the inside of the church was updated with a fancy Baroque style by architects Diego Antonio Díaz and Pedro de Silva. This church is so important that it was named a Bien de Interés Cultural (a site of cultural interest) in 1964.

A Church with History
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A Church with History

How it Started

This church was first set up by King Alfonso X the Wise in 1264. He named it after Dionysius the Areopagite. This happened when the city of Jerez de la Frontera was returned to Christian rule on Saint Denis's Day.

Inside the Church

The Church of San Dionisio has a special layout called a basilica plan. This means it has a main area and two side areas, called naves. These naves are separated by tall, simple pillars. These pillars have cool decorations from the Almohad period. Most of the arches inside are pointed, which is typical for Gothic style.

At the end of each nave, there's a special area called an apse. These areas have beautiful Baroque altars. The main altar was even there before the Baroque updates.

Side Chapels and Art

The smaller chapels on the sides of the church are also in the Baroque style. One of these, the Chapel of the Christ of the Water, has an old image of Jesus from the 1400s.

The Watchtower

Right next to the church is a tall tower called Torre de la Atalaya. It was also built in the 1400s. Even though it's attached to the church, it was actually built for the town, not just for the church. It was used as a watchtower to spot fires or attacks. It also held the town's clock!

The tower was first mentioned in 1447. The clock was put in place in 1454, and people started using the tower as a watchtower in 1484. Because it's so important, the tower is also listed as a site of cultural interest, separate from the church itself.