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 located in the town of San Roque in the Province of Cádiz, Spain. It's a special place with a rich history, connected to the nearby city of Gibraltar.
Contents
A Church with a Story
This church got its name, Saint Mary the Crowned, because it was named after the main church in Gibraltar. Many people from Gibraltar moved to San Roque in 1704 after Gibraltar was taken over. They wanted to keep their traditions alive, so they named their new church after their old one.
Building a New Home
The main part of the church you see today was built in the 1700s. Construction started in 1735. It was built on the foundations of an even older chapel from 1508, which was dedicated to Saint Roch. The church has a special style called Spanish-Tuscan architecture, and you can see amazing Baroque art inside.
A Brave Priest's Stand
There's a story that says this church is in good condition because of a brave priest in 1704. When soldiers took over Gibraltar, they sometimes damaged local churches. But this priest stood firm and showed great courage. His bravery earned the soldiers' respect, and they left this church untouched. In 1974, the church was officially recognized as an important historical building in Spain.
Treasures Inside the Church
The Santa María la Coronada Church holds many precious items, especially statues that have been cared for over centuries.
Main Altar Statues
On the main altar, you'll find a statue of Saint Mary the Crowned. This statue is honored alongside 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 when many people left the city.
Special Side Chapels
The church also has two side chapels. These chapels hold other important statues that were brought from Gibraltar. One chapel is for "The Holy Burial" statue, and another is for "The Most Holy Christ of Humbleness and Patience."
Art by a Local Artist
You can also see a statue called "The Most Holy Christ of the Happy Death." This beautiful artwork was created by Luis Ortega Bru, a famous sculptor who was born right here in San Roque.
A Poet's Resting Place
One of the side chapels is also the burial place of José Cadalso. He was a local poet, writer, and soldier. He wrote a famous book called Cartas marruecas. José Cadalso sadly passed away during the Great Siege of Gibraltar in 1782.
Historical Records
The church is also very important because it keeps the old parish records from Gibraltar. These records date from 1556 until 1704. The people who left Gibraltar in 1704 brought these important documents with them when they settled in what is now San Roque.
See also
In Spanish: Iglesia de Santa María la Coronada (San Roque) para niños
