Santa María la Coronada Church facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Santa María la Coronada Church |
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Santa María la Coronada Church
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| 36°12′35″N 5°23′03″W / 36.2098°N 5.3841°W | |
| Country |  Spain |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic |
| History | |
| Dedicated | 1735 |
The Santa María la Coronada Church is a beautiful old church in the town of San Roque in Spain. It is a very important building in the area. People believe it was named after the main church in Gibraltar. This happened because many people from Gibraltar moved to San Roque in 1704.
Contents
History of the Church
This church has a very interesting history. It is said that its name, Santa María la Coronada (Saint Mary the Crowned), comes from the main church in Gibraltar. When Gibraltar was captured in 1704, many people living there left their homes. They moved to what is now San Roque. They brought their traditions and their faith with them.
Building the Church
The main part of the church you see today was built in the 1700s. Construction started in 1735. It was built on the site of an even older chapel. This chapel was called the Chapel of Saint Roch and dated back to 1508. The church has a special style of architecture. It mixes Spanish-Tuscan designs with Baroque art.
A Story of Bravery
There is a famous story about why this church is so well-preserved. In 1704, after Gibraltar was taken, soldiers were said to have caused damage to local churches. However, this church was protected. It is believed that the priest in charge stood bravely to protect it. His courage earned the respect of the soldiers. Because of his actions, the church was left unharmed.
A Protected Building
The Santa María la Coronada Church is considered very important. In 1974, it was officially declared a listed building. This means it is a protected historical site in Spain. It is known as a Bien de Interés Cultural, which translates to "Property of Cultural Interest."
Treasures and Statues
Inside the church, you can find many valuable and old items. These items tell the story of the people who moved from Gibraltar.
Main Altar Statues
On the main altar, there is a special statue of Saint Mary the Crowned. This statue is highly respected. Along with it, you can see statues of Saint Sebastian and Saint Joseph. These statues are very old, dating back to the 1400s. They are even older than the church building itself! They were carefully brought out of Gibraltar after 1704. This happened during the "Exodus of Gibraltar." This was when the Spanish people left Gibraltar after it was taken over.
Side Chapels and Art
The church has two side chapels. These chapels hold other important statues. One chapel is for "The Holy Burial." The other is for "The Most Holy Christ of Humbleness and Patience." These statues were also brought from Gibraltar during the exodus.
There is another famous statue called "The Most Holy Christ of the Happy Death." This beautiful artwork was created by Luis Ortega Bru. He was a sculptor born in San Roque.
A Poet's Resting Place
One of the side chapels is also the burial place of José Cadalso. He was a famous local writer and soldier. Cadalso wrote plays, poems, and essays, including a well-known book called Cartas marruecas. He sadly died during the Great Siege of Gibraltar in 1782.
Historical Records
The church also holds a unique historical treasure. It has the original parish records from Gibraltar. These records date from 1556 until 1704. They were brought to San Roque by the people who left Gibraltar in 1704. This makes the church a very important place for understanding the history of both San Roque and Gibraltar.
See also
In Spanish: Iglesia de Santa María la Coronada (San Roque) para niños
