San Antolín de Bedón (Llanes) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids San Antolín de Bedón |
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Saint Antoninus of Bedón
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An image of the church in 2008
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 San Antolín de Bedón
Location in Spain
San Antolín de Bedón
Location in Asturias
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| 43°26′17″N 4°52′09″W / 43.43806°N 4.86917°W | |
| Location | Llanes, Asturias |
| Country | Spain |
The San Antolín de Bedón church is in Llanes, a town in Asturias, Spain. It was built a long time ago, in the 13th century. You can find it close to the Monastery of San Salvador in Celoriu. It sits right where the Bedón River meets the sea, dividing the San Antolín beach.
This church was built in a special style called Cistercian. This means it has very few decorations. It looks simple and strong.
Contents
History of the Church
How it Started
The monastery was named after Saint Antolin of Apamea. He was a Christian who died for his beliefs in the 4th century in Syria. His remains were kept in an abbey near Toulouse, France. His story became popular in medieval Spain. This was thanks to Bishop Ponce, an advisor to King Sancho Garcés III.
The first mentions of the monastery are from the 12th century. But these are from old records that are now lost. The first clear mention is from January 26, 1186. A man named Gonzalo Pérez and his son Martín González gave some land to the monastery of San Vicente in Oviedo. The document was signed by domno Iohanne abbate Sancti Antonini, who was the abbot (leader) of San Antolín.
Around the early 1200s, the monastery likely started following the Benedictine rule. This is when they began building the church. An old writing says that Abbot Juan started the work in 1205. Another writing with the same date is found at the front of the church. The church's style is like that of Santa María de Valdediós. That church was built a few years after San Antolín.
The monastery received gifts from rich people in Asturias. Pedro Díaz de Nava, for example, left money in his will on April 9, 1289. Rodrigo Álvarez de las Asturias also left a thousand maravedí (old Spanish money) in his will on August 16, 1331. He wanted the monks to pray for him.
Changes in the 1500s
When Charles I (who later became Emperor Charles V) traveled to Spain to be recognized as king, he visited the monastery of San Antolín. This was on September 16, 1517. Pedro de Posada was the abbot at that time. Three years later, on April 4, 1520, the king gave the abbot special permission. He allowed the abbot to set up a majorat for his son. This meant his son could inherit certain family properties.
In 1531, Pope Clement VII issued a special order called an apostolic bull. He said the monastery should join the San Benito group in Valladolid. This was because the monastery was in decline and needed help. Juan de Estella became the new abbot in 1532 after this change.
However, the monastery's problems continued. So, twelve years later, in 1544, the church was joined with the nearby monastery of San Salvador de Celoriu. This happened because the people and leaders of Llanes asked for it.
The Church in Later Years
After a time when the government took over church properties (called the confiscation), the church was left empty. People living nearby wanted religious services to be held in Naves instead. They moved the main altar, other altars, and the baptismal font there.
In 1858, they even got permission from the bishop to tear down the church. They wanted to use its stones to fix the chapel of Santa Ana in Naves. But a group called the Provincial Monuments Commission stepped in. They managed to save the church! The bishop then agreed to build a new church in Naves and canceled his earlier permission.
On June 4, 1931, an important announcement was made. The church was officially named a "historical-artistic monument" in the Madrid Gazette. Today, it is known as a Bien de Interés Cultural, which means it's a site of cultural interest. The famous painter Darío de Regoyos even painted the church in one of his oil paintings. This painting is now in the Museum of Fine Arts of Asturias.
See also
In Spanish: Iglesia de San Antolín de Bedón para niños
- Asturian art
- Catholic Church in Spain
