kids encyclopedia robot

Church of Santa María a Real do Sar facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Quick facts for kids
Church of Santa María a Real do Sar
Native name
Galician: Igrexa de Santa María a Real do Sar
Colexiata Santa María a Maior e Real do Sar, Santiago de Compostela.jpg
Location Santiago de Compostela, Spain
Area Galicia
Built 12th Century
Architectural style(s) Roman
Official name: Igrexa de Santa María a Real do Sar
Type Non-movable
Criteria Monument
Designated 1895
Reference no. RI-51-0000071
Lua error in Module:Location_map at line 420: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value).

The Church of Santa María a Real do Sar (in Galician: Igrexa de Santa María a Real do Sar) is a very old church. You can find it in Santiago de Compostela, Spain. It sits right next to the Sar river, which flows through the city.

This church is special because it was built a long, long time ago, in the 12th century. That means it's over 800 years old! In 1895, it was named a Bien de Interés Cultural. This is a fancy way of saying it's a very important historical and cultural site in Spain. It is protected so everyone can enjoy its history.

What Makes This Church Special?

The Church of Santa María a Real do Sar is a great example of Romanesque architecture. This style was popular in Europe from about the 10th to the 12th centuries. Romanesque buildings often have thick walls, round arches, and sturdy pillars. They look very strong and solid.

Leaning Pillars

One of the most interesting things about this church is its leaning pillars. Over hundreds of years, the ground under the church has shifted a bit. This caused some of the pillars inside to tilt. It looks like they are bending, but they are still holding up the roof! This makes the church very unique and shows how old it truly is.

Inside the Church

Inside, you can see beautiful stone carvings and details typical of its age. The church has a calm and peaceful feeling. It has been a place of worship for centuries. It also has a cloister, which is a covered walkway around a courtyard. This cloister is also very old and beautiful.

Where is it Located?

The church is in Santiago de Compostela, a famous city in Galicia, a region in northwest Spain. Santiago de Compostela is well-known as the end point of the Camino de Santiago, a very old pilgrimage route. The Church of Santa María a Real do Sar is a bit outside the main city center, right by the Sar river. This gives it a quiet and peaceful setting.

See also

kids search engine
Church of Santa María a Real do Sar Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.