Church of San Pedro Apóstol, Vitoria-Gasteiz facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Church of San Pedro Apóstol |
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View from the south
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| 42°50′53″N 2°40′29″W / 42.848135°N 2.674764°W | |
| Location | Vitoria-Gasteiz, Álava, Basque Country |
| Country | Spain |
| Denomination | Catholic Church |
| Tradition | Latin Church |
| History | |
| Status | Parish church |
| Architecture | |
| Style | Gothic |
| Administration | |
| Archdiocese | Archidiocese of Burgos |
| Diocese | Diocese of Vitoria |
The Church of San Pedro Apóstol (which means Saint Peter the Apostle in English) is a very old church located in the city of Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain. It's also known as Iglesia de San Pedro Apóstol in Spanish and San Pedro eliza in Basque. This church was built a long, long time ago, between the late 1200s and early 1300s. Because it was right next to the city walls, it was designed to be like a fortress church. This means it was built strong, almost like a castle, to help protect the city.
Contents
The History of San Pedro Apóstol Church
The Church of San Pedro Apóstol has a fascinating history that spans many centuries. It started as a strong, defensive building and grew into the beautiful church we see today.
Built Like a Castle
Imagine a church that could also help defend a city! That's exactly what the Church of San Pedro Apóstol was. In the late 13th and early 14th centuries, when it was first built, cities often needed protection. This church was placed right next to the city walls of Vitoria-Gasteiz. Its strong design meant it could serve as a safe place and a lookout point during times of trouble.
Changes Over Time
Over the years, the church has seen many additions and changes. The tall tower you see today wasn't part of the original building. Its construction began much later, in 1708.
Another important part, the southern entrance (called a portico), was added even more recently, in 1897. This portico was designed by a person named Fausto Íñiguez de Betolaza. It was built in a style called Gothic Revival, which means it looked back to the old Gothic style but was built in a more modern time.
A Special National Treasure
Because of its long history and unique architecture, the Church of San Pedro Apóstol is considered very important. In 1931, it was officially declared a national monument in Spain. This means it's a protected site, recognized for its historical and artistic value. Today, it's also known as a Bien de Interés Cultural, which is another way of saying it's a cultural heritage site that needs to be preserved.
See also
In Spanish: Iglesia de San Pedro Apóstol (Vitoria) para niños
