Church of the Pilgrim Virgin, Baroque church in Pontevedra, Spain
The Church of the Pilgrim Virgin is a Baroque building with a scallop shell-shaped floor plan and twin towers flanking a curved facade decorated with Corinthian columns. The interior follows the typical layout of a pilgrimage church with altars and chapels for prayer.
Construction began in 1778 under Portuguese architect Antonio Souto and was completed in 1792 when bells and stained glass windows were installed. The church was built to serve the growing number of pilgrims traveling through the region.
The church is dedicated to the Virgin Mary, revered as the patron saint of Pontevedra province and the Portuguese pilgrimage routes to Santiago. Visitors can observe this devotion reflected in the altars and prayers throughout the sacred space.
The building stands on Plaza de la Peregrina in central Pontevedra and is easy to reach for pilgrims walking the Portuguese Camino de Santiago route. Its central location makes it a natural stopping point along the pilgrimage journey.
A lightning strike destroyed the north tower in 1795, prompting extensive repairs and the installation of a lightning rod for protection. This early safety measure reflects the advanced planning of the period.
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