Santa Maria de Lara, Visigothic church in Quintanilla de las Viñas, Spain
Santa Maria de Lara is a Visigothic church built from large sandstone blocks featuring distinctive horseshoe arches and narrow slit windows throughout its structure. The building has a simple rectangular plan with a square apse and allows minimal light to enter through its small openings.
A local priest rediscovered the chapel ruins in 1921 after centuries of abandonment and decay. The site received official protection as a National Monument in 1929, marking its formal recognition as an important historical structure.
The interior walls display carved reliefs featuring geometric patterns, vine designs, exotic birds, and mythical creatures showing oriental influences. These decorations reflect the artistic traditions of the early medieval period in Iberia.
The church typically welcomes visitors from Wednesday to Sunday, with longer hours during warmer months and reduced access in winter. Planning your visit around these seasonal variations helps ensure you find the site open during your desired time.
Two stone carvings of evangelists were stolen from the church in 2004 but were successfully recovered in 2019 through specialized art investigation. This recovery demonstrates ongoing efforts to protect the site's sculptural heritage.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
