Church of Santa María Madre, Ourense, Catholic church in Ourense, Spain.
The Church of Santa María Madre stands atop a monumental stairway connecting Magdalene Square with Main Square and features two symmetrical bell towers with a baroque facade. The interior is shaped by richly decorated altars, while the structure spans multiple levels and displays different architectural layers.
The building was erected on a site with an original temple from the 5th century, but took its current form only in 1772. Earlier reconstruction in 1084 created a bridge between ancient foundations and baroque design.
The church displays a carved wooden altar in Churrigueresque style with a 16th-century statue of Mary that is carried through the streets during Easter processions. This religious practice connects worshippers with their community and creates an important moment in the yearly calendar.
The church is accessible to visitors during daytime hours and functions as an active place of worship for the local community. Its location atop the stairway offers good views across the city, but the climb requires some effort.
The interior preserves double columns from the second and third floors that come from late-Roman or Visigothic origins. These architectural elements resemble those found in the church of Santa Columba de Bande and show a rare continuity from ancient to baroque layers.
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