The 450-Year-Old Stone Belle: Our Lady of Candelaria's Candlelight Lighthouse

The 450-Year-Old Stone Belle: Our Lady of Candelaria's Candlelight Lighthouse

A 450-year-old church in the Canary Islands, sporting a 'molinera' bell tower that resembles a lighthouse. It's been standin' tall since the last digits of the 16th century.

Step foot in the Church of Our Lady of Candelaria, and you'll find a grand dame who's been keeping watch for over four centuries. Her weathered, mudéjar-style stone bell tower acts as a beacon for both locals and tourists. Started in the closing years of the 16th century, it's a nod to the local architectural vibes. The 'molinera' bell tower, practically a character on its own, houses an intriguing collection of movable assets that were once part of the Retablo Mayor.

This masterpiece by the Canarian artist Juan de Miranda Cejas is a living testament to the island's rich heritage. The church has a storied past, entwined with the Cabrera family, a clan of island colonels. However, this is just one thread in her rich tapestry. In 1993, she was declared a Cultural Interest of Spanish-Level, and today, the floor, still cobbled with local cantería slabs, continues to safeguard her treasures. The main facade, with its central semi-circular arch, is a simple, symmetrical gateway to the mysteries within.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons

Written by Friendly Jane

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