Church of San Salvador (Seville) facts for kids
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The Church of San Salvador is a famous church in Seville, Spain. It is the second-largest church in Seville, right after the city's huge cathedral.
History of the Church
From Mosque to Church
Long ago, in the year 830, a very important building stood where the church is now. It was called the Ibn Adabbas Mosque. This mosque was the main place of worship for Muslims in Seville. It was built during a time when much of Spain, known as al-Andalus, was ruled by the Umayyad people. Many historians believe it was the second-oldest mosque in all of al-Andalus. The oldest was the Great Mosque of Cordoba.
The original mosque was built in a special style called hypostyle. This means it had many rows of brick arches. These arches were held up by strong marble columns. It was a very grand and impressive building for its time.
In 1248, a big change happened. The Christian kingdom of Castile took control of Seville. After this, the mosque was changed into a Christian church. It was given the new name San Salvador, which means 'Holy Savior'. For many years, the building stayed mostly the same.
Rebuilding the Church
However, by 1669, the old building was in bad shape. An important church leader, Archbishop Payno Osorio, visited it. He saw that it was dangerous and falling apart. So, he decided that the old mosque-turned-church had to be torn down.
Building a brand new church began in 1674. It took many years to finish, finally being completed in 1712. The church you see today is a beautiful example of Baroque architecture. This style is known for being very grand and decorative. The Church of San Salvador now stands tall and impressive, overlooking the Plaza del Salvador in Seville.
See also
In Spanish: Iglesia del Salvador (Sevilla) para niños
