Iglesia de Santa María de la Oliva (Villaviciosa) facts for kids
The Iglesia de Santa María de la Oliva (which means Church of Saint Mary of the Olive) is a very old stone church in a town called Villaviciosa, in the Principality of Asturias, Spain. This beautiful church was built a long, long time ago, between the late 1200s and early 1300s. It sits near the coast of the Bay of Biscay in northern Spain.
It's special because it shows a mix of two old building styles: Romanesque and Gothic. This makes it a "transitional" church, showing how building ideas changed over time.
Quick facts for kids Iglesia de Santa María de la Oliva |
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| Church of Santa María de la Oliva | |
Church of Santa María de la Oliva, in Villaviciosa.
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| 43°28′55″N 5°26′13″W / 43.48193°N 5.43683°W | |
| Location | Villaviciosa, Principality of Asturias |
| Country |  Spain |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic |
| Architecture | |
| Architectural type | Gothic church |
| Style | Spanish Gothic |
| Completed | 1270 |
Contents
Where is the Church?
The Church of Santa María de la Oliva is in Villaviciosa, a pretty town in northern Spain. This area is part of the Principality of Asturias. The town is right on the coast, close to the Bay of Biscay. This means it's near the ocean, which often influenced how old towns were built.
History of the Church
This church was built a very long time ago. Construction started in the late 1200s and finished in the early 1300s. It was completed around the year 1270. At that time, many churches were being built across Europe.
The Church of Santa María de la Oliva is one of the last churches in the Villaviciosa area to show the Romanesque style. But it also has many features of the newer Gothic style. This mix makes it a special example of how building styles changed over time.
Architectural Style
The church is known for its "transitional" style. This means it combines elements from two important historical building styles: Romanesque and Gothic.
Romanesque Features
Romanesque buildings were common in Europe from about 1000 to 1200 AD. They often had:
- Thick walls: These walls helped support the heavy stone roofs.
- Round arches: You would see these over windows and doorways.
- Small windows: Because the walls were so thick, windows tended to be small. This made the inside of the church darker.
Gothic Features
Gothic architecture became popular after the Romanesque period, from the 12th to the 16th centuries. Gothic churches often look very tall and grand. They have:
- Pointed arches: These allowed for taller, more open spaces.
- Large windows: Often filled with colorful stained glass.
- Flying buttresses: These are outside supports that allowed walls to be thinner and taller.
- Ribbed vaults: A special way of building the ceiling that made it lighter and stronger.
The Church of Santa María de la Oliva shows both of these styles. You might see some round arches next to pointed ones, or thick walls combined with attempts at larger windows. This blend tells a story of architectural change.
See also
