Santa Maria, Manresa facts for kids
The Collegiate Basilica of Santa Maria, often called La Seu, is a very old and beautiful church in Manresa, Catalonia, which is in northern Spain. It's built in two main styles: Romanesque and Gothic. This means it has features from different time periods, showing how architecture changed over hundreds of years.
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History of La Seu Church
The church of Santa Maria was first mentioned in records way back in the year 890. Imagine how old that is! Sadly, in the year 999, the church and the whole city were badly damaged by soldiers led by a person named Al-Mansur.
Rebuilding the Church
After the damage, in the year 1000, some important people decided to rebuild the church. These included Count Ramon Berenguer I of Barcelona, his mother Ermesinde, and Oliva, who was a bishop. They wanted to make the church strong and beautiful again.
From Romanesque to Gothic
Today, only small parts of the very first Romanesque church remain. You can still see some columns from the 11th century. These columns have cool designs of plants and shapes. There's also a portal (a grand entrance) from the 12th century.
In the 1300s, the city of Manresa grew a lot. Because of this, people decided to build a brand new, bigger church right on top of the old one. This new church was designed in the Gothic style, which is known for its tall, pointed arches and large windows.
Building the Gothic Church
Construction started in 1322. The main architect was Berenguer de Montagut, who had also worked on another famous church, Santa Maria del Mar in Barcelona. The first stone was placed in 1328. Building a church this big took a very long time, and work continued into the 1400s and even later.
Later Additions to the Basilica
Over the centuries, more parts were added to the church.
- The crypt (an underground room, often for burials) was built in 1578.
- The Chapel of the Holiest was added in 1657.
- The bell tower, which is square-shaped, was finished in 1592.
- A beautiful cloister (a covered walkway, usually in a monastery or church) was built in the early 1700s.
- The main front of the church and the baptisteries (where baptisms happen) were built much later, between 1915 and 1934. These were designed by Alexandre Soler i March, based on an idea from the famous architect Antoni Gaudí.
What You See Inside
The church has a large central area called a nave. On either side, there are two narrower aisles. These areas are separated by eighteen tall, eight-sided pillars. These pillars have decorative tops with plant designs. Unlike some churches, La Seu does not have a transept, which is a part that crosses the main body of the church, making it look like a cross from above.
Inside, the church is not overly decorated. Its beauty comes from its grand size and the light coming through its large, colorful windows.
Important Artworks
The church is home to several important artworks, especially altarpieces. An altarpiece is a piece of art, often painted or carved, that stands behind the altar in a church. Here are some famous ones:
- St. Mark: This altarpiece was created by Arnau Bassa in 1346.
- Holy Spirit: Made by Pere Serra in 1394, this is thought to be one of the best examples of Catalan painting from the 14th century.
- St. Michael and St. Nicholas: This piece was created by Jaume Cabrera in 1406.
- Holy Trinity: This is a later work by Gabriel Guàrdia, finished in 1501.
There is also a painting by Lluís Borrassà from 1411.
See also
In Spanish: Colegiata Basílica de Santa María de la Aurora (Manresa) para niños
