Santa María de los Reyes Church, Laguardia, Spain

The construction of the church of Santa María de los Reyes, located in the North of Laguardia, began at the end of the 12th century in Romanesque style. However, the sanctuary was finished in the 15th century, which due to the restorations made from then on, explains its Gothic, Renaissance and even Baroque features.

The polychrome portico is the sanctuary's most outstanding characteristic. Its construction, in carved stone, dates back to the 14th century but it was polychromed in the 17th century with details showing human forms mingled with vegetal motifs. The main altarpiece was made by Juan de Bascardó in the 17th century, in Renaissance style, but tending towards the Baroque.

References:

tourism.euskadi.eus

Religious sites in Spain

User Reviews

David Sanders (2 years ago)
Beautiful gem. Great example of the height of late mideaval work that used to exist all over Europe.

Fernando Kandel (2 years ago)
Beautiful. As the rest of Laguardia

Jaime G (2 years ago)
A hidden gem not to be missed in Laguardia. The polychrome portico is simply stunning. The fact that it has always been sheltered has helped preserve the sculptures and the colours intact so it looks pretty much like it did four centuries ago. Check visit hours since you must get your ticket in advance (on the same day) at the tourism office.

Jan Douglas (3 years ago)
Impressive 12th century Romanesque and later added Renaissance architecture. Beautifully preserved portico sculpture work telling the biblical story of Santa Maria's life. The lack of English language tour availability was a drawback, but they do have written English interpretive sheets. But the introductory light show & narration loses a lot when you can't understand the language. Ensure you inquire at the tourism office about times for the tour in your preferred language.

snails snails (5 years ago)
At the far end of this little town you will find the absolutely amazing church......even if you have seen hundreds of old European churches, you need to see this one. I'm not an architect, nor a builder, but, I can appreciate amazing structures. The portico is breath-taking".......see the rest for yourself.....

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The Abbey of Saint-Etienne, also known as Abbaye aux Hommes ('Men"s Abbey'), is a former monastery dedicated to Saint Stephen (Saint Étienne). It is considered, along with the neighbouring Abbaye aux Dames ('Ladies" Abbey'), to be one of the most notable Romanesque buildings in Normandy. Like all the major abbeys in Normandy, it was Benedictine.

Lanfranc, before being an Archbishop of Canterbury, was abbot of Saint-Etienne. Built in Caen stone during the 11th century, the two semi-completed churches stood for many decades in competition. An important feature added to both churches in about 1120 was the ribbed vault, used for the first time in France. The two abbey churches are considered forerunners of the Gothic architecture. The original Romanesque apse was replaced in 1166 by an early Gothic chevet, complete with rosette windows and flying buttresses. Nine towers and spires were added in the 13th century. The interior vaulting shows a similar progression, beginning with early sexpartite vaulting (using circular ribs) in the nave and progressing to quadipartite vaults (using pointed ribs) in the sanctuary.

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