Santo Tomás de las Ollas, Mozarabic church in Ponferrada, Spain
Santo Tomás de las Ollas is a 10th-century church with Mozarabic architecture in Ponferrada that features a rectangular layout leading to an oval main chapel. The interior space is defined by horseshoe arches and geometric patterns throughout.
The structure originated in the 10th century combining Lombard architectural elements, while a Romanesque front door was added later in the 12th century. This blend reflects architectural changes across two centuries.
The village name Las Ollas refers to the historical pottery tradition of local inhabitants who created vessels and ceramics in this area.
The church is open to visitors daily except Mondays, with guided tours organized by the Ponferrada Tourism Office. It is best to contact them beforehand to confirm availability and access times.
The building displays rare double horseshoe arches connecting the central area to the chapel with multiple geometric patterns etched throughout. This architectural feature represents a distinctive characteristic of Mozarabic construction from this period.
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