Santa Maria, Gualter facts for kids
Santa Maria de Gualter is an old Benedictine monastery located near the village of Gualter. You can find it in the area of La Baronia de Rialb, which is in Catalonia, Spain. This special building is a great example of Romanesque architecture, a style of building popular a long time ago.
Contents
The Story of Santa Maria de Gualter
Early Beginnings
The land where Gualter village stands was given to another monastery called Santa María de Ripoll. This happened before the year 890, thanks to a powerful ruler named Count Wilfred the Hairy. Later, in 1079, the monastery was owned by Ermengol IV, who was the Count of Urgell. A "Count" was a noble ruler of a region, similar to a duke or a prince.
Building the Monastery
People started trying to build the monastery in 1118. A group of religious leaders (clergy) and regular people (laity) worked together to raise money and build it. This group was like a community project to create the monastery. The building was officially opened and blessed in 1207. This official opening is called "consecration."
Support and Changes
The Counts of Urgell, especially Ermengol VIII, Count of Urgell, really supported the monastery. They helped it grow and stay strong. However, things changed much later. In 1593, Pope Clement VIII decided to close the monastery down as a working monastery. This means it was "abolished." After that, it became a simple local church, known as a "parish church."
From Ruins to Restoration
Over time, the monastery fell into disrepair and became a ruin. This means it got very damaged and broken down. But thankfully, it has been fixed up and restored. This process of fixing and bringing it back to its original state is called "rehabilitation." Today, it stands as a beautiful historical site.
What is Romanesque Architecture?
Santa Maria de Gualter is built in the Romanesque style. This was a popular way to build churches and castles in Europe between the 6th and 13th centuries. Romanesque buildings often have thick walls, round arches, sturdy pillars, and small windows. They look very strong and solid. This style was common before the more detailed Gothic style became popular.
See also
Learn more in Spanish: Monasterio de Santa María de Gualter para niños
