San Gil Abad (Zaragoza) facts for kids
The Church of San Gil Abad is a beautiful old church located in Zaragoza, a city in Spain. It is known for its interesting mix of building styles from different time periods.
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History of San Gil Abad
The first church on this spot was built a long time ago, after Christian kingdoms took back control of Zaragoza from Muslim rule. This early church was built in the Romanesque style around the 12th century. It stood on an old Roman road.
Around the mid-1300s, this first church was taken down. A new church was then built in the unique Mudéjar style. This style mixes Christian and Islamic art and building ideas. Later, in the 1700s, the church was updated again. It was given a new look in the fancy Baroque style.
Architecture and Design
The Church of San Gil Abad has a simple layout. It has one main hall, called a nave. At the end of the nave, there are two rounded sections called apses. Along the sides, there are small chapels built into the strong outer walls, known as buttresses.
The Church Tower
The church's tower is square-shaped. It is made of brick, just like the rest of the building. The main entrance to the church was added in 1640.
Inside the Church
The inside of the church looks mostly Baroque. This style was added during a big renovation between 1719 and 1725. During this time, the church's direction was also changed. The main altar, called the altarpiece, was made in 1628. It is dedicated to Saint Gil Abad.
The Sacristy
The sacristy is a room where priests prepare for services. It was built between 1776 and 1779. The ceiling of the sacristy has a beautiful painting, called a fresco, by Ramón Bayeu. The walls are decorated with seven paintings on canvas, created by Manuel Bayeu.
