Iglesia del Santo Sepulcro, Romanesque church along the French Way in Torres del Río, Spain
Iglesia del Santo Sepulcro is a church with an octagonal structure and a central dome supported by eight intersecting arches. These arches form an intricate star pattern across the ceiling that defines the entire interior space.
Built around 1170, this church replaced traditional circular floor plans of similar basilicas of that era. It integrated both Christian and Islamic architectural elements during a period of significant cultural exchange in the region.
The interior displays Arabic influences in its vault patterns, created through collaboration between Christian builders and Mudéjar craftsmen. This blend of styles reflects how different religious communities worked together in this region.
The church sits along the N-111 road connecting Estella and Logroño and is easy to reach. It serves as a recognizable stop for pilgrims walking the Camino de Santiago, and visitors can see it directly from the main route.
The interior contains a 13th-century representation called the Holy Christ of the Knights of the Sepulchre located in the apse. This figure is rarely found in churches of this age and shows the connection this site had to Crusader military orders.
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