San Martin, Callosa de Segura facts for kids
The Church of San Martín, Bishop of Tours is a beautiful and historic Roman Catholic church located in the town of Callosa de Segura, in Alicante, Spain. It's a special kind of church called an "archpresbyteral" church, which means it's the main church for a group of smaller churches in the area. This church is famous for its Renaissance style and has been recognized as an important historic monument in Spain.
History of the Church
The Church of San Martín has a long and interesting history, with different parts built and decorated over many centuries. It shows how architectural styles changed over time.
Building the Main Church
The main part of the church was built in the 16th century. It's a great example of a Renaissance "hall-church." This means it has a large central area, called a nave, and two side areas, called aisles. All these parts are the same height. The ceilings, called vaults, rest on tall, classic-looking columns. This design was quite unique for the Valencia region at that time.
The front of the church, known as the main facade, was built in the late Gothic style. This style often features pointed arches and detailed carvings. The facade is decorated with archivolts, which are curved bands of molding around an archway. On these archivolts, a Latin phrase is written: "This is the House of God, this is the Gate of Heaven."
Later Additions and Art
Over the centuries, more parts were added to the church. In the 17th century, a tall bell tower was built. It holds five bells, each with its own name! From the highest to the lowest, they are: la Martina, la Purísima, San José, Sagrado Corazón, and Santísimo Sacramento.
In the 18th century, the inside of the church got a new look with Rococo style decorations. This style is known for being very fancy and ornate, with lots of curves and gold. A huge central dome, called a cupola, was also added inside. Later in that same century, a Sacristy (a room where priests prepare for services) and a Chapel of the Communion were added. These new parts were built in the Neoclassical style, which was a return to simpler, more classic designs inspired by ancient Greece and Rome.
Inside the church, you can find important artworks created by Miguel de Vera in the 16th century. These include a special image-reliquary of Saint Martin, which is a container holding a holy relic. There is also the Archiprestal cross and the Processional Crook, which are important items used in church ceremonies. You can also see beautiful sculptures and altarpieces (decorated panels behind the altar) made by artists like Rabasa and Noguera.
See also
In Spanish: Iglesia de San Martín (Callosa de Segura) para niños
