Sanctuary of Nuestra Señora de Estíbaliz facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Sanctuary of Nuestra Señora de Estíbaliz |
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| Native name Spanish: Santuario de Nuestra Señora de Estíbaliz |
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| Location | Argandoña, Spain |
| Official name: Santuario de Nuestra Señora de Estíbaliz | |
| Type | Non-movable |
| Criteria | Monument |
| Designated | 1931 |
| Reference no. | RI-51-0000358 |
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The Sanctuary of Nuestra Señora de Estíbaliz (in Spanish: Santuario de Nuestra Señora de Estíbaliz) is a special religious building. It is located in Argandoña, a part of Vitoria-Gasteiz in Álava, Spain. This beautiful place sits on a small hill, about 9 kilometers (5.6 miles) from Vitoria-Gasteiz. From here, you can see amazing green forests and views of the whole area. The sanctuary is home to the patroness (a special protector) of Álava. It was recognized as a Bien de Interés Cultural (a site of cultural interest) in 1931.
Contents
Discover the History of Estíbaliz
The first mention of this site and the Lady of Estíbaliz was in a royal document from Navarre in 962. The sanctuary you see today was built in the 11th century. It is a wonderful example of Romanesque art, which is a style of building from that time.
Changes Over the Centuries
In 1138, the sanctuary was given to the Benedictine monks from Nájera. They took care of it until 1431. Then, they sold it to a powerful lord named Fernán Pérez de Ayala. He was the son of Pedro López de Ayala, a famous chancellor for King Enrique de Castilla.
Later, the sanctuary was given to Santiago's hospital in Vitoria-Gasteiz. In 1542, the heir of the person who donated it ordered some repairs. Many parts of the sanctuary were rebuilt or fixed between the 12th and 13th centuries.
Estíbaliz in the 20th Century
During the 1900s, many young students came here to study. They often focused on religious training. A railway line, called the Basque-Navarrese Railway, even had a stop right at the sanctuary. This shows how important and busy the place once was. The railway line is no longer there today.
Estíbaliz Today: A Glimpse of the Past
Even though the sanctuary has been damaged over time, especially during civil wars, it still holds great historical value. You can see many interesting details that show its ancient design.
Architectural Highlights
The sanctuary has a simple floor plan that ends with three rounded sections called apses. Its columns are decorated with unique and interesting designs on their tops, known as capitals. You can also see the original font (for baptisms) and the front stone of Christ's altar.
The Porta Speciossa
On the south side of the sanctuary, there is a special entrance called the Porta Speciossa. This door has a different style and many detailed carvings. It features two arches (archivolts) that are richly decorated with patterns and weaving designs. These designs seem to come out of the mouth of a small lion. Above the door, there is a window with two openings, like a small bell tower.
Exploring the Headboard and Apse
The main back part of the sanctuary, called the headboard, has two half-columns. These columns have capitals that are much lower than the current roof edge. This tells us that the building was originally shorter. Only the south apse has a small window decorated with an arch. Under the central roof edge, there are some decorated supports called corbels. One of these even has a carving of a mermaid with two tails!
Detailed Decorations
The decorations on the cover of the sanctuary are very detailed and rich. You can see many interwoven patterns and geometric shapes on the columns. The capitals on top of the columns also have interesting details, like scrollwork or small carved heads.
The Angel and Virgin Statue
On top of a small column at the front door, you can see statues of an angel and the Virgin Mary. Both figures appear to be walking, giving a feeling of lightness and movement.
See also
In Spanish: Santuario de Nuestra Señora de Estíbaliz para niños
