Collegiate Church of Santa Maria del Campo (A Coruña)
Picture: Wikimedia Commons
The Collegiate Church of Santa Maria del Campo is a beautiful and ancient Christian temple located in the heart of the old town of A Coruña. Its origin dates back to late romanesque with an impressive structure. When one enters it, one observes a basilica plan that dominates the entire space, divided into three naves and an apse. In addition, it has Gothic vestiges from later stages.
Its main doorway and its tympanum give a relevant touch to this Asset of Cultural Interest built in the 12th century. Presumably, in its beginnings, it was raised mainly with alms from the faithful, from which a small chapel was built. Alfonso X granted it the privilege of parish in 1256. In later years, it was expanded until it was chosen as a collegiate church by a papal bull.
From its beginnings, the parish was welcomed as the headquarters of the sea and trade guilds in the city. Formerly, in the surroundings of the church, there was a cemetery, whose remains can still be seen today in the attached tombs that face the street. In addition, the church has a 15th-century bell tower with a capital and an ogival rose window on the front wall.
Inside the temple is the Museum of Sacred Art, which had to be dismantled in 1945 due to the threat of ruin until its subsequent reorganization. This is integrated into the collegiate church in a small new building. This museum houses a collection of various silver objects intended for the liturgical celebration of the church. One can enjoy the exhibition in chronological order, according to the different schools that made them.
Its main doorway and its tympanum give a relevant touch to this Asset of Cultural Interest built in the 12th century. Presumably, in its beginnings, it was raised mainly with alms from the faithful, from which a small chapel was built. Alfonso X granted it the privilege of parish in 1256. In later years, it was expanded until it was chosen as a collegiate church by a papal bull.
From its beginnings, the parish was welcomed as the headquarters of the sea and trade guilds in the city. Formerly, in the surroundings of the church, there was a cemetery, whose remains can still be seen today in the attached tombs that face the street. In addition, the church has a 15th-century bell tower with a capital and an ogival rose window on the front wall.
Inside the temple is the Museum of Sacred Art, which had to be dismantled in 1945 due to the threat of ruin until its subsequent reorganization. This is integrated into the collegiate church in a small new building. This museum houses a collection of various silver objects intended for the liturgical celebration of the church. One can enjoy the exhibition in chronological order, according to the different schools that made them.
Location
What to see in A Coruña
