Collegiate church of Santa María, Catholic parish church in Calatayud, Spain.
The Collegiate Church of Santa María is a parish church in Calatayud featuring three naves separated by pointed arches and a 70-meter tower with an octagonal base. The building houses a connected Collegiate Museum and cloisters that visitors can explore.
Construction started after the Battle of Cutanda in 1120, following King Alfonso I's entry into Calatayud, on the site of the town's former main mosque. The church emerged during the period of Christian reconquest and retained architectural elements from the earlier Islamic occupation.
The building displays Mudéjar features that blend Islamic and Christian building traditions, visible in its decorative patterns and structural details. Visitors can see this cultural fusion in the arched openings and ornamental work throughout the interior.
The interior is currently undergoing restoration work to preserve its architectural elements, so visitors should check current opening conditions before visiting. The best time to explore is during daylight hours when natural light makes the interior details and Mudéjar features clearly visible.
The walls at the tower's base are remarkably thick and contain a spiral staircase built between the inner and outer walls. This creative construction method allowed the climb to the tower to be integrated without taking up valuable interior space.
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