Santo Domingo de la Calzada Cathedral facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Santo Domingo de la Calzada Cathedral |
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| Native name Spanish: Catedral de Santo Domingo de la Calzada |
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Portico and freestanding tower
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| Location | Santo Domingo de la Calzada, Spain |
| Governing body | Roman Catholic Church |
| Type | Non-movable |
| Criteria | Monument |
| Designated | 1931 |
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The Cathedral of Santo Domingo de la Calzada is a beautiful Roman Catholic church in the small town of Santo Domingo de la Calzada, located in the La Rioja region of Spain. It's a special place dedicated to the Saviour and St Mary.
Contents
A Journey Through Time: The Cathedral's History
The town of Santo Domingo de la Calzada is famous because it sits on the Camino de Santiago. This is a very old pilgrimage route that people have walked for hundreds of years. The town gets its name from Saint Dominic de la Calzada. He was a kind person who helped pilgrims traveling through the area a long time ago.
From Church to Cathedral
Saint Dominic passed away in the year 1109. He was buried in the local church. This church became more important over time. In the 12th century, it was rebuilt to be much bigger and more impressive. By the 13th century, it was given the special title of a cathedral. This means it became the main church for a large area.
Today, this cathedral is one of three important cathedrals in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Calahorra y La Calzada-Logroño. The other two are in Calahorra and Logroño.
Art and Architecture: Inside the Cathedral
The outside of the cathedral is decorated with statues. You can see figures of Emeterius and Celedonius, who are saints connected to the city of Calahorra.
Inside, there's a stunning piece of art called a retable. This is a large, decorated screen behind the altar. It was carved between 1537 and 1540 by an artist named Damián Forment. He created it in the Renaissance style, which was popular at that time. The retable was later moved from its original spot at the back of the church.
The Famous Chickens of Santo Domingo
One of the most unique things about this cathedral is its connection to chickens! There's a famous story, or miracle, linked to Saint Dominic. The story says that two cooked chickens, which had been beheaded, came back to life. They did this to prove that a pilgrim, who was wrongly accused of stealing, was innocent.
Because of this amazing story, a pair of live chickens are kept inside the cathedral at all times. You can find them in a special cage in the choir loft. Other chickens, who are descendants of these famous birds, are also kept nearby. They live in the local place where pilgrims stay. A similar story about a rooster is told in Portugal, about the rooster of Barcelos.
Protecting History: World Heritage Site
The Camino de Santiago, including the town of Santo Domingo de la Calzada and its cathedral, is very important. It has been named a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. This means it's a special place that is protected for everyone to enjoy and learn from, all around the world.
