San Pedro Church, Ávila, Spain - SpottingHistory.com

Residing over Plaza del Mercado Grande, San Pedro projection is similar to that of the Basilica of San Vicente. The monarchs swore their respect for the charters of Castile in the atrium of the church, which underlines its importance during the period in which the town achieved its greatest relevance in the world of politics.

San Pedro has a Latin-cross layout with a central nave that is larger than the side naves. Its construction began in the second quarter of the 12th century and was completed in the 13th century after a period in which the work was stopped. The architecture and decoration shows an evolution of particular interest as a result of the delays in the construction work.

It has a triple upper end with an apse on each nave and a magnificent collection of sculptures showing plant, animal and geometric motifs and scenes from the Bible. The ceilings were covered with barrel and groined vaults in the 13th century. Over time, the arches became forerunners to those used in the Gothic period. Finally, a tower was built on the place where the central nave intersects with the transept.

The main front has two bodies: the upper body is dominated by a large rose window and the lower body has a porch in which the size of the entrance is magnified by six plain archivolts. The southern porch is similar but smaller in size. The northern entrance is more ornamental and moulded with five archivolts, two of which are decorated with typical Ávila-style rosettes.The interior stands out thanks to the panels distributed around the walls of the nave, the Renaissance-style altars and the altarpiece in the main chapel, together with its grilles.It was designated a National Monument in 1914.

References:

Ávila Tourism

User Reviews

Rafael Puñales (15 months ago)
Una joya del Románico español. Impresiona su fachada principal, con su austeridad arquitectónica y decorativa, pero deslumbrante en sus materiales constructivos. Orientada hacia el Oeste, y construida con piedra en tonos amarillos, se vuelve de un color dorado intenso cada atardecer de los días centrales del verano, para ofrecer una luz perfecta a cualquier fotógrafo con sensibilidad.

Marcos Rueda (15 months ago)
Preciosa iglesia en el centro de Ávila dedicada a San Pedro Apostol. Ubicada en la plaza de Santa Teresa es un templo románico dónde destaca un gran rosetón sobre la fachada. El conjunto está rodeado de un espacio ajardinado y enlosado. Ha sido declarado como Bien de Interés Cultural.

manu (17 months ago)
Visitando la iglesia (me gustó), fuera del horario de cultos, y cerca del altar se acercó el que parecía sacristán y me dijo a mí (habían otros turistas) qué era lugar de oración y qué no debía estar ahí, le contesté que mi mujer estaba arrodillada a mi lado con sus oraciones y que yo no era creyente pero estaba guardando respeto hacía quien lo fuera. Me contestó que no siendo creyente debía abandonar el templo. Y ante mí pregunta del porqué esa intransigencia, incomprensiblemente me amenaza con llamar a la policía sino abandono el lugar, cosa que hice para no levantar más escàndalo del promovido por ese individuo. Impresentable personaje indigno de estar en una iglesia.

Rodrigo Luis Silva (18 months ago)
Beautiful place

Denis Fabian Mironica (2 years ago)
Nice arquitecture!

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

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Astrakhan Kremlin

For centuries, the Astrakhan Kremlin was inapproachable stronghold in the south-eastern border of the Russia. The first construction of the Kremlin began in 1587-1588 under the guidance of I.G. Vorodkov, a lector of Discharge Order. He laid the first wooden fortress with powerful solid walls and towers. The place of construction was chosen on the hill, known as “Rabbit” or “Zayachii” in Russian.

During the reign of Ivan IV The Terrible and Boris Godunov the wooden fortress was rebuilt into a stone one. For the development of Kremlin walls and towers state-owned official masters were headed from Moscow to Astrakhan. For best results executives used the old, but very strong Tatar plinths which were brought from the ruins of the cities of the Golden Horde towns. Stone citadel was built by the type of Moscow Kremlin.

Next two centuries have become relatively calm for the Kremlin. Its buildings were repaired, rebuilt and renewed. However, in the beginning of 20th century after the October Revolution access to the Kremlin was closed. Instead it was transformed as a military post, where groups of Red Guards were formed the Military Revolutionary Committee was placed.

In January 1918 Astrakhan Kremlin was once again in the middle of fateful events, when supporters of Soviet power fought with Astrkhan Cossaks. They attacked The Red Army that was entrenched in the Kremlin, from roofs of nearby buildings. Serious destruction was caused to the Kremlin after this battle. In 1919 the Army was reorganized under the leadership of Kirov to protect the outfall of Volga and to defeat the White Guard troops and foreign interventionists.

Only after the end of the World War II the town opened the access to the Kremlin. At the same time Kremlin ceases to be subject of military purposes. In the mid-20th century significant restoration works were held, due to which many buildings, requiring urgent repairs were saved.

In 1974 the Astrakhan Kremlin became a museum. Nowadays citizens and tourists of Astrakhan have the access to museum exhibits of the lifestyle of the Astrakhan Garrison. Moreover they can see Casual Suits archers and scorers, elements of their weapons and ammunition, the exhibition dedicated to the history of popular uprisings and corporal punishment. In 2011, after the restoration of the kremlin, Guardhouse exposition was opened, which tells about the life of Astrakhan military garrison of the 19th century.

Assumption Cathedral

Construction of Assumption Cathedral began in 1699 and lasted almost 12 years. The bell tower was erected in 1710. The exterior of the Cathedral was decorated with molded brick and carved with white stone. Windows and dome heads were framed by columns in the style of Corinthian décor and semicircular arches were filled with paintings with biblical plot. Three of such arches were arranged on each side of the temple.

The cathedral was divided into two floors: the upper church is dedicated to the honor of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin. Tall and light temple was intended for ceremonial worships during warm months. The lower church which is dark lightened and surrounded by the gallery columns.

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