Santa Maria del Naranjo

Santa Maria del Naranjo

Discover the story of Santa Maria del Naranjo, a 9th-century palace, renovated and transformed into a church centuries later. This architectural marvel is a testament to the power and ambition of early Spanish kingdoms.

Originally built by Ramiro I of Asturias as a palace, the Church of Santa María del Naranjo was renovated and converted into a church in the 12th century. It is a prime example of pre-Romanesque architecture and is adorned with intricate decorative elements, including cubic-prismatic capitals with reliefs and medallions. Santa María del Naranjo was declared a Monumento Nacional on January 24, 1885, and was later classified as a Bien de Interés Cultural in June 1985. It was also declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in December 1985.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons

Written by Nicolo Ciampini

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