Church of Santo Tomás, Gothic church in Haro, Spain
Church of Santo Tomas sits atop La Mota hill featuring three equal-height naves with intricate late Gothic vaulting inside. The main facade blends Renaissance decorative details with Gothic proportions, creating a transitional style that marks the shift from medieval to Renaissance architecture.
The main portal received its Plateresque design in 1525 when sculptor Felipe Bigarny completed carved scenes from the Bible. A Baroque bell tower was added in 1719, becoming an architectural influence for church design throughout the La Rioja region.
The church serves as a meeting point for pilgrims traveling the Camino del Interior toward Santiago de Compostela. Visitors and worshippers gather here to experience the spiritual role this place plays in their journey.
Entry is through the main entrance where the carved portal immediately draws attention with its biblical imagery. Plan to spend time examining both the interior vaulting and the facade details, as the sculptural work rewards close observation.
The Baroque bell tower designed by Agustin Ruiz de Azcarraga became a template that other churches in the region copied. Many visitors overlook that this influential tower was built nearly 200 years after the main facade was completed.
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