Church of Santiago (Sama) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Church of Santiago (Sama)
Iglesia de Santiago
The Church of Santiago in 2013
Location	Sama, Langreo, Asturias, Spain
Architecture
Architectural type	Neo-Gothic
Years built	19th century (original) 1950s (rebuild)
Closed	October 1934 (1934-10) (original)

The Iglesia de Santiago (which means "Church of Saint James" in Spanish) is a beautiful church located in a town called Sama. Sama is part of a larger area known as Langreo, in Asturias, Spain. This church is built in a style called Neo-Gothic, which means "new Gothic." It looks like the grand churches from the Middle Ages, but it was actually built much more recently.

A Look at Its History

The first church on this spot was built in the 1800s. It was dedicated to a saint named San Eulogio. This original church looked similar to the one you see today, but it was simpler and not as tall.

Sadly, in October 1934, the first church was burned down. This happened during a difficult time in Spain, just before the Spanish Civil War. After the war ended, people worked hard to rebuild the church. The new and current Church of Santiago was finished in the 1950s. It was designed to look like the impressive Gothic churches of the past, with tall arches and detailed decorations.

What is Neo-Gothic Architecture?

Neo-Gothic architecture is a style that became popular in the 18th and 19th centuries. Architects wanted to bring back the look of medieval Gothic buildings. These buildings often have:

• Pointed arches
• Ribbed vaults (special ceilings)
• Large windows, often with stained glass
• Tall spires and towers

The Church of Santiago is a great example of how this old style was used in new buildings.

See also

In Spanish: Iglesia de Santiago (Sama) para niños