Church of Sant Llorenç, Lleida facts for kids
Sant Llorenç (which means Saint Lawrence) is a beautiful old church located in Lleida, a city in Catalonia, Spain. It was first built a long, long time ago, in the late 1100s, in a style called Romanesque. Later, in the 1400s, some parts were changed and added in the Gothic style.
The church was designed by important builders, including Pere de Coma. He was also in charge of building the old cathedral of Lleida, called La Seu Vella. Sant Llorenç has a main open space called a nave and two side areas called aisles. All these parts are built to be the same height. It also has three rounded ends called apses. The main nave is Romanesque, while the side aisles and the tall, eight-sided bell tower are Gothic. The church was updated in 2002 to keep it looking good.
Contents
Discovering Sant Llorenç Church
Sant Llorenç is more than just an old building; it's a place full of history and amazing art. It shows how building styles changed over hundreds of years, from the strong, simple Romanesque to the tall, detailed Gothic.
The Church's Design and History
When you look at Sant Llorenç, you can see two main building styles. The older parts, from the late 1100s, are Romanesque. This style often uses thick walls, round arches, and strong, simple shapes. The newer parts, added in the 1400s, are Gothic. Gothic buildings are known for being very tall, having pointed arches, and large windows with colorful glass.
The church has a main central area, the nave, where people sit. On each side, there are aisles that run along the nave. Unusually, these aisles are as tall as the main nave, which is a special feature. At the back, there are three rounded sections called apses. The tall bell tower, which is shaped like an octagon (an eight-sided shape), is a clear example of the Gothic style.
Amazing Art Inside Sant Llorenç
Inside Sant Llorenç, you can find many incredible works of art. There are four very large and detailed altarpieces, which are decorated screens behind the altar. These altarpieces are dedicated to different saints:
- Saint Lawrence
- Saint Ursula (thought to be made by Jaume Cascalls)
- Saint Peter
- Saint Lucy
One of the church's entrances, located on Plaça de Sant Josep, has a special detail: you can see the family symbol, or crest, of Berenguer de Gallart.
The church has also been very important for the city's religious leaders. It served as the main church for the bishop of Lleida (the "episcopal see") two times in its long history.
Among the other treasures inside Sant Llorenç, there is a beautiful Gothic painting of Santa Maria de la Candelera, created by an artist named Mateu Ferrer. You can also see a sculpture called the Mare de Déu dels Fillols. This sculpture was originally located in the old cathedral, La Seu Vella, before it was moved to Sant Llorenç.
See also
In Spanish: Iglesia de San Lorenzo (Lérida) para niños
