Basilica of San Prudencio de Armentia, Romanesque church in Armentia, Spain.
The Basilica of San Prudencio de Armentia is a Romanesque church from the 12th century that stands on the southwestern edge of Vitoria-Gasteiz, in the Armentia district. It follows a Latin cross plan, with barrel vaults over the apse and four sculpted evangelists set into its arches.
The church was built in the 12th century as a cathedral, when Armentia was still the seat of a diocese before it was moved to Calahorra. In 1776 the building was heavily rebuilt, which altered much of the original Romanesque structure.
The name of the basilica refers to Saint Prudentius, a late antique bishop venerated in this part of the Basque Country, and his figure appears in the sculptural decoration of the building. The portal reliefs show scenes from the New Testament and are easy to observe when approaching the entrance from outside.
The basilica sits on the southwestern outskirts of Vitoria-Gasteiz and is accessible on foot through the paths and garden areas that surround it. It is worth checking opening hours in advance, as the building is not always open to visitors.
Excavations beneath the church floor uncovered Roman remains and burial sites that predate the medieval building by many centuries. This means the site was already in use and considered important long before the Romanesque church was raised.
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