Church of Santa María la Mayor, Mudéjar church in Plaza de la Villa, Arévalo, Spain.
The Church of Santa María la Mayor features a single nave with semicircular apse, distinctive Mudéjar tower with pedestrian passage, and mampostería encintada walls with brick reinforcement creating a harmonious blend of Islamic and Christian architectural elements.
Constructed in the late 12th to early 13th centuries, this Mudéjar temple underwent several renovations over the centuries, suffered partial collapse in 1981 during restoration work, and was subsequently rebuilt to preserve its medieval architectural heritage.
The church exemplifies Mudéjar architecture in Castile and León, showcasing the cultural fusion between Islamic and Christian traditions through its decorative brick patterns, pointed arches, and construction techniques that flourished after the Reconquista.
Located on Calle Santa María in Plaza de la Villa, the church is accessible to visitors and designated as a Bien de Interés Cultural since 2006, offering guided tours and serving as an active place of worship.
The church's most distinctive feature is its tower with a pedestrian passage at ground level allowing Calle Santa María to pass directly through the structure, creating an unusual urban integration rarely seen in medieval religious architecture.
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