Church of Santa María la Mayor, Gothic church in Talavera de la Reina, Spain.
The Church of Santa Maria la Mayor is a Gothic building with three naves covered by elaborate ribbed vaults. The facade features a prominent rose window made of Mudejar brickwork.
The building originated as a Roman temple dedicated to Jupiter in the ancient forum of Caesarobriga. After Christianity took hold, it became one of the region's major religious centers.
The church displays significant ceramic artwork from Talavera, including a remarkable altarpiece of Christ of the Sea by Ruiz de Luna. These pieces reflect the city's long tradition of fine craftsmanship.
The main entrance is located at the front facade, where the Mudejar rose window is immediately visible. The interior spaces are straightforward to navigate, though some areas have narrow traditional passages.
Fernando de Rojas, the author of La Celestina, is buried in the Gothic cloister from the 15th century. This location is thus connected to one of Spain's most important literary works.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.