Church of Santa María la Mayor (Talavera de la Reina) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Church of Santa María la Mayor |
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Iglesia de Santa María la Mayor
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| General information | |
| Architectural style | Gothic–Mudéjar |
| Classification | Bien de Interés Cultural |
| Address | Plaza del Pan |
| Town or city | Talavera de la Reina |
| Country | Spain |
| Coordinates | 39°57′29″N 4°49′56″W / 39.958064°N 4.832109°W |
The Church of Santa María la Mayor (also known as Iglesia de Santa María la Mayor in Spanish) is an important Catholic church located in Talavera de la Reina, a city in Spain. People often call it colegiata de Santa María because it used to be a special type of church called a collegiate church for many years, from 1211 until 1851.
Contents
A Look Back: The Church's History
How the Church Began
The first time this church was mentioned in writing was way back in 1194. Before the church was built, this spot was actually where an old mosque stood. In 1211, a very important church leader, Archbishop Rodrigo Jiménez de Rada from Toledo, gave the church a special new status. It became a collegiate church. This meant it had a group of priests, called canons, who lived and worked together there.
Unique Building Style
The Church of Santa María la Mayor has a really interesting look. It shares many similarities with the Monastery of Santa María de Guadalupe. Both buildings are designed in a special style called Gothic–Mudéjar. This style mixes the grand, tall designs of Gothic buildings with the beautiful, detailed decorations often found in Mudéjar art, which was created by people in Spain who had learned from Islamic art.
Building Over Time
Over the years, more parts were added to the church. The attached cloister, which is a covered walkway, was finished by 1469. Many chapels, which are smaller prayer areas, were built during the 15th and 16th centuries. These chapels were made in either the Gothic or Renaissance styles. The work on the main front of the church, called the façade, was completed in 1783. Sadly, the church was damaged during the French invasion as part of the Peninsular War.
Losing Its Special Status
In 1851, the church lost its status as a collegiate church. This meant it no longer had the special group of canons living and working there.
Protecting This Historic Place
The Church of Santa María la Mayor is a very important historical building. In 1931, it was officially declared a monumento histórico-artístico. This was an early step towards its current status as a Bien de Interés Cultural. This title means it is a protected cultural heritage site in Spain. It helps make sure the church is preserved for future generations.
See also
In Spanish: Colegiata de Santa María (Talavera de la Reina) para niños
