The Unique Presbytery of Santa Cristina de Lena

Santa Cristina de Lena, a Roman Catholic church located in Lena municipality, Spain, is an astounding example of pre-Romanesque architecture, unique among Asturian churches. One of its most striking characteristics is the elevated presbytery, a separate area above the main floor level in the last section of the central nave. This architectural element, which is also present in other Asturian churches, isn't repeated in any other church with a similar structure.

The church's design features a single rectangular space with a barrel vault, four adjoining structures in the center of each facade, and a vertical connection between the church and the tribune via a stairway. The eastern part of the church houses the altar with a single apse, deviating from the traditional Asturian pre-Romanesque triple apse and adopting Visigoth elements. The northern and southern parts have two other enclosures with semicircular arches and barrel vaults, associated with the Hispano-Visigothic liturgy practiced in Spain up to the 11th century. In addition, the lattices over the arches and the wall enclosing the central arch were re-used in the 7th century.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons