Iglesia de las Santas Justa y Rufina, Toledo facts for kids
The Iglesia de las Santas Justa y Rufina is a very old church in Toledo, a city in Spain. It's known for its unique history, showing how different cultures lived together long ago. This church is one of several "Mozarabic" churches in Toledo. Mozarabic refers to Christians who lived under Muslim rule in Spain and kept their Christian faith and traditions.
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A Glimpse into the Past
Records show that the Santas Justa y Rufina church has been a Christian parish since 1156. However, parts of the building tell an even older story. Some clues suggest that an Islamic building, likely a mosque, stood here before the church.
Traces of an Ancient Mosque
For a long time, the only hint of an Islamic building was a piece of an arch. This arch was set into the church's northwest wall. It was placed on top of an even older stone column from the Visigothic period. The way the arch was cut suggests it was built around the 10th century. This means it was likely part of a mosque that existed on this spot.
When the Church Was Built
After the area became Christian again, the church's main part, called the apse, was built. The style of this apse is similar to another famous building in Toledo, the Mosque of Cristo de la Luz. This suggests the apse was built around the 12th or early 13th century. This period is known for the first phase of "Mudéjar" art and architecture in Toledo. Mudéjar is a style that mixes Christian and Islamic designs.
Later Changes to the Church
The church saw its biggest changes starting in 1530. These updates were led by a famous architect named Alonso de Covarrubias. His work helped shape the church into much of what we see today.
See also
In Spanish: Iglesia de las Santas Justa y Rufina (Toledo) para niños
