Santa María la Real, Olite facts for kids
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The Church of Santa María la Real is a very old and beautiful church in Olite, a town in the Navarre region of Spain. It's a Roman Catholic church built in the Gothic style, which means it has tall, pointed arches and detailed decorations. You can find it at Plaza Teobaldos 1.
Contents
History of the Church
When Was It Built?
This amazing church was built a long, long time ago, between the 13th and 14th centuries. That means construction started around the 1200s and finished in the 1300s! Imagine how much history these walls have seen.
A King's Favorite Place
The Church of Santa María la Real is right next to the Palacio Real de Olite, which was a favorite place for King Charles III of Navarre. He lived from 1361 to 1425. The church was very important to the royal family and the people of Olite during that time.
Inside the Church
When you step inside, you'll see a special altar piece called a retablo. This one shows scenes of the Virgin Mary and a statue called the Christ of la Buena Muerte. This statue of Christ is also very old, from the 14th century. It might have come from another old church nearby, called San Lázaro.
Amazing Architecture
The Detailed Front (Facade)
The outside front of the church, called the facade, is covered with incredible sculptures. It's like a giant storybook carved in stone!
The Main Entrance (Portal)
Below a large, round window called a rose window, you'll find the main entrance, or portal. This entrance is made up of 8 arches, each one beautifully carved.
Stories in Stone
Look closely at the space above the entrance, called the tympanum. Here, you can see many sculptures that tell stories from the early life of Christ and the Virgin Mary. It's a wonderful example of medieval art.
See also
In Spanish: Iglesia de Santa María la Real (Olite) para niños
