Priory Church, El Puerto de Santa María facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Great Priory Church |
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| Native name Spanish: Iglesia Mayor Prioral |
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Plateresque sculpture adorns the church's south entrance which is known as the "Puerta del Sol"
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| Location | El Puerto de Santa María, Cádiz, Spain |
| Official name: Iglesia Mayor Prioral | |
| Type | Non-movable |
| Criteria | Monument |
| Designated | 1982-11-12 |
| Reference no. | (R.I.) - 51 - 0004729 - 00000 |
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The Priory Church (in Spanish: Iglesia Mayor Prioral) is a very old and important church in El Puerto de Santa María, a town in Spain. It's like a special church because it's been around for a long time.
People started building it way back in 1486. A big earthquake in the 1600s damaged it, so parts of it were rebuilt. Because of this, the church has two main styles: Gothic (older, pointy style) and Baroque (more fancy and detailed).
In 1982, the church was named a Bien de Interés Cultural. This means it's a very important historical building in Spain, protected by the government.
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Where to Find the Church
The church is located in a main square called Plaza España. Right across from it is the town's museum. Because the church is there, many locals call the square Plaza de la Iglesia, which means "Church Square."
The church was built in this spot to keep it safe from floods. The nearby Guadalete River could sometimes overflow, but the church's location helped protect it.
A Look at Its History
The first Priory Church in El Puerto de Santa María was built in the 1200s. But the church you see today started being built much later. Construction began around 1486.
The church first opened its doors for people to worship in 1493. We don't know exactly when it was fully finished. Alonso Rodríguez was one of the architects who helped design it.
The church was built using strong sandstone. This stone came from a mountain nearby called Sierra de San Cristóbal. The same type of stone was also used for parts of the famous Seville Cathedral.
Over the years, new parts were added to the church. For example, a chapel was built in 1517 by Juan de Lucena. Later, in 1533, a couple named Benito Benavides and his wife bought this chapel to use as their family burial place.
In 1636, a strong earthquake hit El Puerto de Santa María. The church was damaged, and some parts needed to be repaired or rebuilt.
Visiting Today
Today, the Priory Church is open for everyone. People can still go there for church services. Tourists can also visit and look around. The best part is, there's no fee to enter!
Church Design and Art
The Priory Church shows off different styles of building. It started with a Gothic style, which often has tall arches and detailed stone carvings. But because it was changed and added to over time, you can also see Baroque and Plateresque designs.
Outside the Church
The church has several doorways, each from a different time period. One of the oldest is called the "Door of Forgiveness." It's built in the original Gothic style.
The main entrance used today is called the "Sun Portal" (Puerta del Sol). This beautiful doorway leads from Plaza España into the church.
The Sun Portal was added in the 1500s, likely between 1535 and 1544. It's thought to be designed by Martin Gaínza, another architect who worked on Seville Cathedral. A rich duke named Don Juan de la Cerda paid for its original construction.
After the earthquake in the 1600s, more parts were added to the Sun Portal. You can see sculptures of Christian virtues like faith, hope, and charity. There are also small sculptures of important religious figures in the spaces between the columns.
Inside the Church
The inside of the church is just as interesting as the outside. It also shows different styles because of all the repairs and changes over the centuries. There are many important features and artworks to see.
For example, there are two special altars called altarpieces. One is made of silver and was created in 1682 by Jose Medina. It's in the Chapel of the Shrine. Another altarpiece is in the Chapel of Our Lady of Miracles. This one was made in the 1500s by an artist from the Pedro Duque y Cornejo school.
More to Explore
- List of Bienes de Interés Cultural in Cádiz
See also
In Spanish: Iglesia Mayor Prioral (El Puerto de Santa María) para niños
