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Santa Maria, Requena facts for kids

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Santa Maria, Requena
ReqIgStaMaria.JPG
General information
Type church
Architectural style Gothic and Baroque
Location Requena, Valencia, Spain
Coordinates 39°29′N 1°06′W / 39.483°N 1.100°W / 39.483; -1.100
Construction started late 15th century
Designations Bien de Interés Cultural

The Santa María Church (which means St Mary) is a beautiful old church in Requena, Valencia, Spain. It's a Roman Catholic church. This church shows off two main styles of building: Gothic and Baroque. It's a very important building in Spain.

Discover Santa María Church

The Santa María Church is a famous landmark. It stands in the town of Requena. This town is located in the Valencia region of Spain. The church is known for its amazing design. It mixes different art styles from history.

A Look at Its History

Building the Santa María Church started a long time ago. Work began in the late 1400s. This was during a time called the Isabelline Gothic period. This style is a special kind of Gothic art from Spain. The church was not finished quickly. People kept working on it until the 1700s. This means it took hundreds of years to complete.

Amazing Architecture

The church has a main entrance that is very detailed. This is called the Gothic portal. It is covered with many sculptures. You can see angels carved into the stone. There are also beautiful flower designs. A special scene is carved above the door. This scene shows the Annunciation. It's a moment when an angel visits Mary. This carving is in a space called the tympanum. The tympanum is the half-round area above a doorway.

What Happened Inside?

Over the years, the church has seen many changes. During a difficult time in Spain, the church lost some of its inside decorations. Many beautiful azulejo tiles were also lost. These tiles are colorful, painted ceramic pieces. Despite these losses, the church remains a grand building.

Today's Church

Today, the Santa María Church is still an active church. It is also used for other events. Sometimes, music concerts are held inside. The church has a special status. In 1931, it was named a national monument. This means it is a protected historical site. It is important for everyone to help keep it safe.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Iglesia de Santa María (Requena) para niños

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