Colegiata de Santa Maria la Mayor, Calatayud facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Collegiate church of Santa María |
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Colegiata de Santa María
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| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Roman Catholic Church |
| Status | Church |
| Location | |
| Location | Calatayud (Zaragoza), Spain |
 Location in Spain
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| UNESCO World Heritage Site | |
| Official name | Apse, cloister and tower of Colegiata de Santa María |
| Part of | Mudéjar Architecture of Aragon |
| Criteria | Cultural: (iv) |
| Inscription | 1986 (10th Session) |
| Extensions | 2001, 2016 |
| Official name: Colegiata de Santa María | |
| Type: | Non-movable |
| Criteria: | Monument |
| Designated: | 14 June 1884 |
| Reference #: | RI-51-0000042 |
The Colegiata de Santa María la Mayor is a very old and beautiful church in Calatayud, Spain. Its name means "Collegiate Church of St Mary Major". This church is special because it mixes two old building styles: Mudéjar and Gothic. It is a Roman Catholic church.
History of the Church
This church was first planned in the 12th century. This was after King Alfonso I el Batallador took back Calatayud. The church was built where the town's main mosque used to be.
The Colegiata de Santa María has been an important place for a long time. Important meetings called the Cortes de Calatayud were held here. Kings like Pedro IV of Aragon used the church for these meetings. People also swore loyalty to Emperor Charles I and later to King Philip III of Spain in this church.
In 1884, the church was officially named a Bien de Interés Cultural. This means it is a very important cultural site in Spain.
Art and Architecture
Even though it's very old, parts of the first Mudéjar-Gothic church are still standing. You can still see the old cloister, the tall tower, and the apse. The apse is the rounded part at the end of the church.
In the 16th century, a beautiful entrance was added. It was carved from alabaster, a soft stone. Artists Juan de Talavera and Esteban de Obray created this amazing portal.
In 1884, the church was declared a Monumento Nacional. A gate was built around the main entrance to protect it.
In 2001, something very special happened. UNESCO recognized the church as a World Heritage Site. It is part of the "Mudéjar Architecture of Aragon" group. This means it's important for everyone in the world to protect.
The Santa María Tower
The church has a very tall tower called the Torre de Santa María. It is 70 meters (about 230 feet) high. The tower is made of brick and has eight sides, like an octagon.
The decorations on the tower become more detailed as you look higher up. Building this tower took many centuries to finish. At the bottom, the walls are very thick, about 1.5 meters (5 feet). Inside, a spiral staircase goes up between an inner and outer wall. The pointy top part of the tower, called the spire, was added in the late 1700s.
See also
In Spanish: 