Santa María la Mayor (Alcañiz) facts for kids
Santa María la Mayor is a famous church in the town of Alcañiz, in the Aragon region of northern Spain. For over 400 years, from 1407 to 1851, it was a special type of church called a collegiate church. This meant it was run by a group of priests, similar to a cathedral but without a bishop.
The church is a stunning mix of two different art styles. It has a tall tower built in the Gothic style, which was popular in the Middle Ages. Its wide, decorated front, called a façade, was built later in the Baroque style, known for its grand and dramatic designs.
Contents
The History of the Church
The First Gothic Building
The story of Santa María la Mayor begins in the 13th century. The first church on this site was built in the popular Gothic style. Parts of this original church, like its impressive bell tower, can still be seen today. The first church had a main hall (the nave) and two side aisles, with a rounded end called an apse.
The bell tower was built to be very large and tall. This was partly because the town wanted to show its importance and compete with the nearby castle, which belonged to the powerful Order of Calatrava, a group of knightly monks.
In 1407, a very important event happened. Pope Benedict XIII officially raised the church's status to a collegiate church, making it a major religious center in the area.
A New Baroque Look
By the 18th century, the old Gothic church was in bad condition. After a pillar in the choir area collapsed, the town decided it was time for a big change. They chose to tear down most of the old building and create a new, larger one.
The new church was designed in the Baroque style. The builders were inspired by another famous church, the Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar in the city of Zaragoza. The goal was to build a church that could hold more people and look magnificent.
The Grand Façade
The most eye-catching part of the new church is its front entrance, or façade. It was designed by a Basque artist named Domingo de Yarza. He also worked on the Basilica in Zaragoza.
The façade is decorated with many sculptures.
- On the bottom level, you can see statues of the saints Peter and Paul.
- In the middle, four archangels stand around a large sculpture of Saint Mary.
- At the very top, you can find statues of St. Thomas of Aquino and St. Vincent Ferrer.
Above the main door is a crest that shows the bamboo from the town of Alcañiz's coat of arms, along with the coat of arms of Pope Benedict XIII. The beautiful entrance was completed in 1779.
Inside the Church
The inside of the church is just as impressive as the outside. The ceilings are a great example of different architectural styles. The main hall has a curved, rounded ceiling called a barrel vault. The side aisles have groin vaults, which are made by joining two barrel vaults together.
The chapels along the sides have their own small, rounded ceilings called domes. The large central dome, known as a cimborio, is made of brick and decorated with beautiful geometric patterns.
Art and Paintings
The church is also home to important works of art. One of the most famous is a Gothic polyptych. A polyptych is a painting made of multiple panels joined together. This one is believed to have been made by the workshop of an artist named Domingo Ram. It includes a painting of St. Mary Magdalene.
There are also six other paintings from the early 1500s. Art experts think they were painted by an artist known only as the "Master of Alcañiz."
See also
In Spanish: Iglesia de Santa María la Mayor (Alcañiz) para niños
- Catholic Church in Spain
