San Juan el Real, Oviedo facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Iglesia de San Juan el Real (Oviedo) |
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| Location | Oviedo, Asturias,  Spain |
The Iglesia de San Juan el Real is a beautiful church located in Oviedo, a city in Asturias, Spain. Its construction began in 1912. A famous Spanish leader named Francisco Franco was married here in 1923.
Contents
History of San Juan el Real
The current church building stands on a spot where another church used to be. That older church was taken down in 1882. The building we see today started being built in 1912.
The architect who designed it was Luis Bellido. The church was finished in 1915.
An Even Older History
The history of this location goes back a very long time. In the year 862, King Alfonso III the Great built an altar here. It was dedicated to San Juan Bautista (Saint John the Baptist).
Later, in 1006, King Alfonso VI gave this place away. A hospital for poor people and pilgrims was set up here. This shows that the site has been important for many centuries.
What the Church Looks Like
The church has a special shape called a Latin cross. This means it looks like a cross from above, with one long part and two shorter parts sticking out.
It also has smaller rooms on the sides called side chapels. There is a large dome on top of the church, which is a round roof.
From Church to Basilica
In November 2014, the church was about to celebrate its 100th birthday. To mark this special occasion, the Pope gave the church a higher status.
It was changed from a regular church (Iglesia de San Juan el Real) to a minor Basilica. This is a special title given to important churches by the Pope. Today, people often call it the Parroquia de San Juan el Real.
See also
In Spanish: San Juan el Real (Oviedo) para niños
- Asturian art
- Catholic Church in Spain
