Church of Santa Ana (Garachico) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Church of Santa Ana |
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| General information | |
| Type | church |
| Location | Garachico, Province of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain |
| Coordinates | 28°22′23″N 16°45′54″W / 28.37306°N 16.76500°W |
| Opened | c. 1520 |
The Church of Santa Ana (which means Saint Anne in Spanish) is the main church in the town of Garachico, on the island of Tenerife. You can find it right next to the Plaza de la Libertad, a popular town square. This church was first built around the year 1520. However, a big volcanic eruption in 1706 destroyed much of it, so it had to be rebuilt.
Contents
History of the Church
How the Church Started
In 1520, a man named Cristobal de Ponte founded the town of Garachico. He gave some land to build this church. The church was named after Saint Anne because Cristobal's wife was named Ana de Vergara. Building the main part of the church, called the chancel, began by 1532 and was finished by 1542.
Rebuilding After the Volcano
A powerful volcano eruption happened in 1706. This event, known as the Eruption of Trevejo (1706), caused a lot of damage to the church. After the eruption, the church was rebuilt between 1714 and 1721. Workers used the original plans to create new walls and roofs, making it look much like it did before.
Recent Restorations
The Church of Santa Ana has been carefully looked after over the years. In the 1990s, it went through a big restoration project. Later, in 2010, three important sculptures inside the church were also restored.
Work on the church's tower began in 2014. This project fixed the wooden parts, the stone on the outside, and the finishes. It also replaced the electrical wires and the floor. This work cost about €253,000. The tower reopened in 2016 and has since hosted many art shows.
A Protected Building
In 2010, the Cabildo de Tenerife (the local government of Tenerife) officially recognized the church as a monument of cultural interest. This means it's an important historical building that needs to be protected. The church is part of a group of important historical properties in Garachico.
Design and Art Inside
Church Architecture
The front of the church, called the facade, mixes two old styles of architecture: Plateresque and Renaissance. Inside, the church is divided into three main parts. These parts are separated by a series of arches and columns. In Spanish, these sections are called naves. In English, you might think of them as a main central area and two side-aisles.
Art and Holy Items
You will find many different altars inside the church. Some of these altars are in the Baroque style, which is known for being very decorative. The church also has many beautiful sculptures and paintings.
One special item is an image of Christ of Divine Mercy. This image came all the way from Mexico and was made using the marrow of corn! There is also a baptismal font made of marble from the 17th century.
The church also has a museum of sacred art. This museum displays religious artworks and objects.
See also
- In Spanish: Iglesia de Santa Ana (Garachico) para niños
