San Antonio de Padua, Aranjuez facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Church of San Antonio |
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| Native name Spanish: Iglesia de San Antonio |
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| Location | Aranjuez, Community of Madrid, Spain |
| Official name: Iglesia de San Antonio | |
| Type | Non-movable |
| Criteria | Monument |
| Designated | 2003 |
| Reference no. | RI-51-0010919 |
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The Church of San Antonio (in Spanish: Iglesia de San Antonio de Padua) is a beautiful church located in Aranjuez, a town in the Community of Madrid, Spain. It is a very important historical building.
In 2003, this church was recognized as a Bien de Interés Cultural, which means it's a site of special cultural interest in Spain. It also became part of a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. This means it's considered important for everyone in the world to protect and enjoy, as part of the Aranjuez Cultural Landscape.
Exploring the Church of San Antonio
The Church of San Antonio has a fascinating history. It was built a long time ago, in the 1700s.
How the Church Began
The story of the church starts with Ferdinand VI of Spain, who was a king of Spain. He decided to build a special chapel, or small church, dedicated to Saint Anthony of Padua. This new chapel was meant to replace an older private one that was built during the time of another king, Philip IV of Spain.
The new building was designed by an architect named Santiago Bonavía around 1752. It was special because it was built for both the royal family and the regular people of Aranjuez.
Design and Features
The Church of San Antonio stands next to a large open area called 'Mariblanca'. This area leads to the Royal Palace. The church has a round shape in the middle. It has a grand entrance facing north with five white limestone arches. These arches are decorated with special columns called Tuscan pilasters.
On each side of the main entrance, there are more arches. These connect the church to other buildings nearby, like the Casa de Infantes (House of the Princes) and the Casa de los Cabeleros (House of the Knights). Together, these buildings create a lovely square called Plaza de San Antonio.
The main part of the church is circular and has two levels. Each level has stone railings. The top level forms a terrace. The church has a large, round dome on its roof, which is topped with a glass pinnacle.
This information about the church's cultural importance was officially shared in Spain on January 18, 2003.
See also
In Spanish: Iglesia de San Antonio (Aranjuez) para niños
