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Collegiate church and cloister of St Juliana facts for kids

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Colegiata y Claustro de Santa Juliana
Native name
Spanish: Colegiata y Claño de Santa Juliana
ColegiataSantillana-1.jpg
Location Santillana del Mar, Spain
Type Cultural
Criteria ii, iv, vi
Designated 1993 (17th session)
Part of Routes of Santiago de Compostela: Camino Francés and Routes of Northern Spain
Reference no. 669bis-012
Region Europe and North America
Official name: Colegiata y Claustro de Santa Juliana
Type Non-movable
Criteria Monument
Designated 12 March 1889
Reference no. RI-51-0000057
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The Collegiate Church and Cloister of Santa Juliana is a very old church in Santillana del Mar, Spain. Its Spanish name is Colegiata y Claustro de Santa Juliana. This special church is dedicated to a saint named Juliana of Nicomedia.

It is famous for being a great example of Romanesque architecture. This is a style of building from the Middle Ages.

Discover the Collegiate Church of Santa Juliana

The Collegiate Church of Santa Juliana is not just any church. It is a "collegiate church," which means it was once home to a group of priests called canons. They lived and worked together there.

The building shows off the Romanesque style. This means it has thick walls, round arches, and often small windows. These features made buildings strong and grand.

A Look at Romanesque Style

Romanesque architecture was popular in Europe from about 1000 to 1200 AD. Builders used stone to create large, impressive structures. The Collegiate Church of Santa Juliana has many details typical of this style.

You can see these features in its strong columns and beautiful carvings. The cloister, which is a covered walkway, is especially famous. It has many detailed sculptures on its pillars.

A Special World Heritage Site

This church is part of a very important group of sites. Since 2015, it has been a World Heritage Site. This means it is recognized by UNESCO as having special cultural value for all of humanity.

It is part of the Camino de Santiago, or Way of St. James. This is a network of old pilgrimage routes. People have walked these paths for hundreds of years to reach Santiago de Compostela.

The Camino de Santiago Connection

The Camino de Santiago was first named a World Heritage Site in 1993. In 2015, more parts of the route were added. The Collegiate Church of Santa Juliana was one of these new additions.

Many churches, hospitals, and monuments along the Camino helped pilgrims. They offered places to rest, heal, and pray. The Collegiate Church played an important role for travelers on their journey.

Protecting This Historic Place

The Collegiate Church of Santa Juliana is also protected by Spanish law. It is known as a Bien de Interés Cultural. This means "Property of Cultural Interest."

It was first given this special protection in 1889. This shows how important the church has been for a very long time. Protecting it helps make sure it will be around for many more years.

  • List of Bien de Interés Cultural in Cantabria
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