Church of Santiago, Toledo facts for kids
The Santiago del Arrabal is a very old and beautiful church in Toledo, Spain. It was built in the 13th century, which means it's over 700 years old! This church is famous for its unique style, which mixes different cultures.
Contents
A Look at Its History
This church has a long and interesting story.
How the Church Began
Building the Santiago del Arrabal church started between 1245 and 1247. It was ordered by King Sancho II of Portugal. The church wasn't built on empty land. Before it, there was an even older building from the Visigothic time. Later, a mosque stood on the same spot. A mosque is a place of worship for Muslims. People used this mosque until at least 1125.
Building Pauses and Restarts
Construction of the church stopped in 1248 after King Sancho II passed away. But the work didn't stay paused for long! A family called the Diosdado family helped to continue building it. They were part of a group called the Order of Santiago, which was a religious and military order.
Modern Restoration
The church you see today looks a lot like it did after a big restoration. This means it was carefully repaired and rebuilt between 1958 and 1973. These efforts helped to keep the old church strong and beautiful for many more years.
Unique Architecture
The Santiago del Arrabal church is special because of its architectural style.
Mudéjar and Romanesque Styles
The church was built in the Mudéjar style. This is a unique Spanish style that blends Christian and Islamic art and building techniques. It often uses materials like brick and decorative patterns. You can also see influences from the Romanesque style, which was popular in the Kingdom of Castile. Romanesque buildings often have thick walls, round arches, and strong, simple shapes.
The Bell-Tower
The church has a tall, freestanding bell-tower. This tower is interesting because it used to be the minaret of the old mosque that stood there before. A minaret is a tall, slender tower on a mosque, from which a person traditionally calls Muslims to prayer. So, the church's bell-tower is a piece of its older history!
See also
In Spanish: Iglesia de Santiago del Arrabal (Toledo) para niños
