Collegiate Basilica of Gandia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Collegiate of Santa María |
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| Colegiata de Santa María de Gandia | |
Collegiate Basilica of Gandia
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| 38°58′1.07″N 0°10′48.84″W / 38.9669639°N 0.1802333°W | |
| Location | Gandia (Valencia) |
| Country |  Spain |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic |
| Website | http://www.colegiatagandia.org |
| History | |
| Founded | October 26, 1499 |
| Architecture | |
| Style | Valencian Gothic |
| Years built | October 26, 1499 |
| Administration | |
| Diocese | Valencia |
The Collegiate Basilica of Santa Maria of Gandia is a very important church in the city of Gandia, Spain. People often call it "La Seu." This amazing building started being built a long, long time ago in the 14th century.
This church is a great example of Valencian Gothic style. It stands right in the middle of Gandia. Even though construction began in the 1300s, it took about two centuries to finish! A special leader named Pope Alexander VI helped make it a "Collegiate" church. This means it's a church with a group of priests called canons. In 1931, it was named a National Historic Monument, which means it's a really important old building.
What the Church Looks Like
The church has one main area called a nave. On the sides of this nave, there are smaller rooms called chapels. The outside of the church looks quite simple. But long ago, the inside was filled with beautiful art. There were fancy altarpieces, paintings, and sculptures. Sadly, these decorations were lost during the Spanish Civil War.
Special Parts of the Building
The Collegiate Church of Santa Maria is like a small treasure of architecture. Two of its doors are especially famous. One is called the Puerta Sur, or the Door of Santa María. The other is the Puerta de los Apóstoles, or the Door of the Apostles. This door was one of the first works by a famous artist named Damián Forment. He was a pioneer of the Spanish Renaissance art style.
See also
In Spanish: Colegiata de Santa María (Gandía) para niños
