Collegiate church of Santa María la Mayor (Toro) facts for kids
The Collegiate Church of Santa María la Mayor is an old church in Toro, province of Zamora, Spain. It is named after Saint Mary the Great. Many churches are named this way to honor the Virgin Mary.
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Building This Amazing Church
This church is a great example of Romanesque architecture in Spain. This style was popular in Europe during the Middle Ages. The church's design was inspired by the Cathedral of Zamora. That cathedral, in turn, was inspired by the Old Cathedral of Salamanca.
When Was It Built?
Work on the church started around the year 1170. It was finally finished in the mid-1200s. Different types of stone were used during its construction. Limestone was used in the older parts, and sandstone in the newer sections. This shows that different builders worked on the church over time.
What Does It Look Like Inside?
The church has a basilica plan. This means it has a long central area called a nave. It also has two side aisles. There is a transept, which is a cross-shaped part of the church. Above where the nave and transept meet, there is a special dome. This dome has eleven sides! The transept ends with three round sections called apses.
The Beautiful Majesty Portico
One of the most famous parts of the church is the Majesty Portico (Pórtico de la Majestad). This is the southern entrance to the church. It was built when Sancho IV of Castile and León was king (1284–1295). The portico is covered with colorful sculptures. These sculptures show important scenes. They tell stories about the life of the Virgin Mary and Jesus Christ. They also show scenes from the Final Judgment.
Inside the Church: Art and History
Inside the church, you can find some special artworks. One is a painting from Flanders called La Virgen de la Mosca ("Virgin of the Fly"). There is also a unique sculpture of a Pregnant Virgin. This sculpture dates back to the 1200s.
The Mystery of the Fly Painting
The "Virgin of the Fly" painting is very unusual. It shows a very realistic fly on the Virgin Mary's knee. Studies have shown that this fly was added to the painting later. The painting has also been touched up many times. For example, the halo around the Virgin's head was once covered by a veil. Also, the dress of Saint Catherine of Alexandria has rich embroidery. Her face looks a lot like some paintings of Isabella I of Castile.
See also
- For more information in Spanish, check out: Colegiata de Santa María la Mayor (Toro) para niños
- History of medieval Arabic and Western European domes
