Church of San Martín de Tours, Belchite, Mudéjar church ruins in Belchite Viejo, Spain.
The Church of San Martín de Tours in Belchite is a stone and brick ruin featuring a square tower with three distinct levels. The tower culminates in a pointed crown and bears decorative zigzag and diamond patterns that define its architectural appearance.
The building was constructed in the early 15th century and underwent significant alterations between 1550 and 1560 that transformed its appearance. During the Spanish Civil War, it suffered severe destruction from combat in the region.
The tower displays a mix of Christian and Islamic design language visible in its geometric patterns. This blend reflects centuries when different cultural traditions coexisted in the region.
The site is located in Belchite Viejo, the old town center, where the ruins stand in the open air and are accessible on foot. Best visited in good daylight to see the stone details and masonry patterns on the tower clearly.
The grounds were deliberately left unrepaired after 1938 to preserve the scars of the conflict. This makes Belchite a rare example of an entire town kept as a memorial to the destruction of war.
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