Collegiate church of San Martin de Elines, Cantabria Facts for Kids

The Church of San Martin de Elines

The Church of San Martin de Elines is a very old and beautiful church. You can find it in the Valderredible valley in Cantabria, Spain.

Long ago, it was part of a monastery where monks lived. Later, it became a special kind of church called a collegiate church. This meant it had a group of priests, but it wasn't a cathedral.

The church you see today was built around the early 1100s. It was made in the Romanesque style. But there are clues that an even older building was here. Some old arches and windows from the 900s can still be seen. These are in a style called Mozarabic.

What Does the Church Look Like?
Exploring Inside the Church
The Cloister and Old Tombs
Protecting This Special Place
More Pictures
See also

What Does the Church Look Like?

The church is built in the usual Romanesque way. It has a round end called an apse on the east side. The main part of the church, called the nave, is very tall.

Outside, the apse has three decorated sections. The top edge is carved with animal heads, people, and cool patterns. These carvings are called corbels.

The main door to the church is on the west side. It has a rounded arch supported by columns. These columns have carvings of plants on their tops. The bell tower is round and stands next to the south wall of the church.

Exploring Inside the Church

Inside the church

Inside, the apse has two levels of decorative arches. The lower part has four rounded arches. The upper part has five rounded arches. The tops of the columns are carved, but some have been damaged over time.

You can still see some old Romanesque paintings in the apse. Two figures, probably apostles, are visible. These are the only old Romanesque paintings left in the Cantabria region.

The church has four large, round column tops called capitals. They hold up the dome. These capitals have amazing carvings. One shows Daniel with lions. Another seems to show Samson fighting a lion. A third capital tells parts of the story of the Adoration of the Magi. It also shows the Massacre of the Innocents. The last capital has carvings of pinecones and lions eating people.

The Cloister and Old Tombs

The cloister is a peaceful courtyard next to the church. It was built in the 1500s in a simple Renaissance style.

Inside the cloister, you can see a collection of medieval stone coffins. Some of these old tombs are beautifully decorated with carvings.

Protecting This Special Place

The Church of San Martin de Elines is very important. It was named a National Historic-Artistic Monument in 1931. This means it is protected so people can enjoy it for many years to come.