Church of St Mary Magdalene, Tudela facts for kids
The Santa María Magdalena church is an old building in Tudela, a city in Navarre, Spain. It is a Roman Catholic church built in the Romanesque style. This means it has a special look from the Middle Ages.
History of the Church
The Santa María Magdalena church has a long history. In 1129, a king named Alfonso the Battler took control of Tudela. At that time, there were already Christian people living there who followed a special kind of worship called Mozarabic.
The church itself was built later, in the second half of the 12th century. It might have been built where an older Mozarabic church once stood.
The main entrance, called the portal, is beautifully carved. It shows scenes from the Bible and also pictures of everyday life from that time. The church's bell tower is also in the Romanesque style. It has many rounded arches, which is a common feature of this type of architecture.
Inside the church, you can see a special altar piece from the 16th century. It is called a retablo and is covered in gold. This retablo is dedicated to Mary Magdalene. Over the years, during the 16th and 17th centuries, more small chapels were added inside the church.
Protecting the Church
The Santa María Magdalena church is very important. Because of its history and beauty, it was officially recognized as a Bien de Interés Cultural in 1983. This means it is a protected historical site in Spain.
See also
In Spanish: Iglesia de Santa María Magdalena (Tudela) para niños
