Collegiate Church of Santa Juliana, Romanesque church in Santillana del Mar, Spain
The Collegiate Church of Santa Juliana is a Romanesque structure with thick stone walls, rounded arches, and carved stone details visible throughout both exterior and interior spaces. The complex also includes a cloister that connects the main church to surrounding buildings.
Construction began in the 12th century and incorporated elements from an earlier monastery that had occupied the same site. Over the following centuries, the building underwent modifications and expansions to serve changing religious needs.
The church is named after Saint Juliana and served for centuries as a pilgrimage destination for those seeking her relics. Today, visitors can still sense this long religious tradition woven into the building's character and the surrounding town.
The building is open daily to visitors and can be explored independently or with guided tours available in multiple languages. Access to both the interior and cloister is normally available during visiting hours.
The church houses the relics of Saint Juliana of Nicomedia, preserved in a silver reliquary at the main altar, which explains the historical importance of this location. These remains attracted pilgrims for generations and established the site as a significant religious center.
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