Monastery of Santa Maria, El Puig facts for kids
The Monastery of Santa Maria is a really old and beautiful building in El Puig, a town in Valencia, Spain. It's a mix of two cool old building styles: Gothic (think tall, pointy arches) and Renaissance (more balanced and grand). It has both a church and a monastery, which is a place where monks or nuns live.
Contents
A Rich History Unfolds
The First Church and a Special Find
The story of the monastery began in 1237. A king named King Jaume I decided to build a church on a hill. This happened after a priest, Peter Nolasco, made an amazing discovery. He found a special old picture, called a Byzantine icon, hidden under a fallen bell. This icon was of Our Lady of the Angels. People believed it had survived a long time, even through the Moorish rule.
Growing Popularity and a New Church
By 1240, the first church was finished. It became connected with a group called the Mercedarian order. Many people, called pilgrims, started visiting the church. They came to ask for help from Our Lady of the Angels, who was seen as a protector of the Kingdom of Valencia. So many people came that the church became too small! Because of this, a much bigger and grander Gothic church was built in 1300.
The Monastery Takes Shape
Later, in 1588, the impressive monastery building was added. This made the whole site even larger and more important.
What You Can Explore Inside
When you visit the Monastery of Santa Maria, there are several interesting parts to see:
- The Cloisters: These are peaceful, covered walkways around a central garden. Monks used them for quiet walks and thinking.
- The Royal Hall (Salón Real): This grand room was used by kings and queens when they visited Valencia. Imagine important meetings happening here!
- King Jaume I's Gothic Hall (Salón Gótico): This hall shows off the beautiful Gothic style from King Jaume I's time.
- The Ceramics Hall: Here, you can see a collection of decorative tiles and pottery.
Protecting This Historic Place
The monastery has been used for many different things over the years. It's a very important historical site. Since 1969, it has been officially protected as a Bien de Interés Cultural. This means it's a special part of Spain's heritage, and efforts are made to keep it safe for future generations to enjoy.
