Santa Maria, Requena facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Santa Maria, Requena |
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| 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 |
| Construction started | late 15th century |
| Designations | Bien de Interés Cultural |
The Santa María Church, also known as St Mary's, is a beautiful Roman Catholic church. You can find it in Requena, Valencia, a town in Spain. This church is special because it mixes two old building styles: Gothic and Baroque.
Contents
About Santa María Church
Santa María Church is a very old and important building. It has been standing for hundreds of years. People visit it to admire its art and history. It is a key landmark in Requena.
A Look at Its Style
The church shows off two main architectural styles. The first is the Gothic style. This style was popular in Europe from the 12th to the 16th centuries. Gothic buildings often have tall, pointed arches and large stained-glass windows. They also feature detailed sculptures.
Later, parts of the church were built in the Baroque style. This style became popular in the 17th and 18th centuries. Baroque buildings are known for being grand and dramatic. They often have lots of decoration and curved shapes. Santa María Church combines these two amazing styles.
History of the Church
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 in Spain. The church was not finished quickly. Construction continued for many years, all the way until the 1700s.
The main entrance, called the Gothic portal, is very detailed. It has many sculptures. You can see angels and beautiful flower designs. There is also a scene of the Annunciation carved above the door. This scene is in a special arched space called a tympanum.
What You Can See Today
Over the years, the church has seen many changes. It lost some of its inside decorations. Many of its colorful azulejo tiles were also damaged. This happened during and after the Spanish Civil War, which was a conflict in Spain from 1936 to 1939.
Even with these changes, Santa María Church remains important. It is still used for religious services. It also hosts concerts, which means you can enjoy music inside its historic walls. In 1931, the church was officially recognized as a national monument. This means it is a protected historical site in Spain.
See also
In Spanish: Iglesia de Santa María (Requena) para niños
