San Pedro Chuch, Olite, Spain

Construction of the San Pedro church began in the 12th century but continued over the next centuries, creating a hybrid of structures. It is located adjacent to the castle-like Royal Palace of Olite. The 52-meter-high Gothic bell-tower is capped by a pointed roof, and is known as Torre Aguja or 'Needle Tower'. The murals in the bell-tower were moved to the Museo de Navarre.

The main portal is highly decorated including with scenes of St George and the Dragon and a centaur fighting a harpy. The tympanum is a later addition, depicting Saints Peter, Andrew and James. The lintel depicts scenes of the life of Saint Peter. The facade has a Gothic rose window.

North of the church is a cloister with decorated Gothic columns. Some of the capitals depict scenes from Genesis.

The main retablo is dedicated to Saint Peter, and was completed in Baroque style. The canvases of Saint Fermín and Saint Francis Xavier are by Vicente Berdusán. The Chapel of the Virgen del Campanal was frescoed in the 13th century. These works are now preserved in the Museum of Navarre.

Inside the church is the tomb monument of the notary Enequo Pinel, built in 1432. A polychrome alabaster relief depicts the Trinity with three persons. The decorations were sculpted by Jean Lome de Tournay, sculptor for the court of Charles III of Navarre.

References:

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Religious sites in Spain

User Reviews

Olga Cherkashina (2 years ago)
Appreciated by the photographs. But so far far away. I don't dare because of the pandemic. They can slow down somewhere and turn back. But I plan to take a look.

José Julio Melgares (2 years ago)
Church of the early 12th century that presents, due to the different additions throughout its history, various architectural styles: Romanesque, Gothic and Baroque. Externally it is characterized by the octagonal arrow-shaped spire of its tall and slender bell tower. Inside, there is a tomb by the sculptor Jean Lome de Tournay (1432).

Hortibus (2 years ago)
Pretty church

M F M (2 years ago)
A real gem

alcotan304 (2 years ago)
Surprising Church that can be visited before or after mass in the short space that remains for it. Very beautiful and especially if you do not live in the area and come from another community. Noteworthy is the choir, the sculpture of Santiago Apostol or the altarpieces. Special attention to the Cloister that can be seen through a door.

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Photo from Flickr, copyright Fagerjord

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The inscription on the episcopal throne states that this is the first church in Rome dedicated to Mary, mother of Jesus, although some claim that privilege belongs to the Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore. A Christian house-church was founded here about 220 by Pope Saint Callixtus I (217-222) on the site of the Taberna meritoria, a refuge for retired soldiers. The area was made available for Christian use by Emperor Alexander Severus when he settled a dispute between the Christians and tavern-keepers.

The church underwent two restorations in the fifth and eighth centuries and in 1140-43 it was re-erected on its old foundations under Pope Innocent II.

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