Sant Martí de Calonge, Church building in Calonge, Spain.
Sant Martí de Calonge is a church at the heart of Calonge built around a distinctive interior layout. A wide central nave is flanked by eight interconnected side chapels that create the illusion of two additional lateral sections, while a polygonal apse with barrel vaulting forms the eastern end.
The earliest known reference dates to 944, when the Counts of Barcelona-Girona donated an estate and mentioned a church of Saint Martin in Rivofredo in their document. This early note suggests that a place of worship already existed on this site before the current building took shape.
The main doorway displays carved stonework with heraldic shields of the Osorio de Moscoso and Fernández de Córdoba families, who held power in this region. These emblems show how local nobility marked their presence in the community's spiritual center.
The building sits on Plaça Major in Calonge and is easily reached via the C-253 road that connects Palamós to Santa Coloma de Farners. Its central location makes it a convenient stop for visitors exploring the town.
The bell tower retains Romanesque features from its original construction and bears marks of its past role as a medieval defensive structure. This dual function was common for churches in this region, which served both spiritual and protective purposes.
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