San Pedro de la Nave, Visigothic church in El Campillo, Spain.
San Pedro de la Nave is a Visigothic church in El Campillo, Zamora Province, built between 680 and 711. The central nave rises higher than the lateral aisles and is supported by horseshoe arches resting on sturdy pillars.
The church was built between 680 and 711 during Visigothic rule over the Iberian Peninsula. Between 1930 and 1932, it was dismantled and relocated stone by stone to save it from the flooding of the Ricobayo reservoir.
The carved capitals inside depict Daniel in the Lion's Den and the Sacrifice of Abraham, both cut from yellow sandstone. These biblical scenes served as visual catechism for worshipers long before printed books became common.
The church stands 22 kilometers (14 miles) northwest of Zamora, accessible via the N-122 highway followed by the ZA-P-2327 road to El Campillo. A visit can easily combine with exploring nearby small villages, especially on quieter weekdays.
During the relocation, workers discovered an ancient sundial-like device on the walls, likely used as a calendar or to mark prayer times. This detail shows how early Christians organized their days around the movement of the sun.
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