Basilica of St. Vincent (Basilica de San Vicente) description and photos - Spain: Avila (Topic)

Basilica de San Vicente description and photos - Spain: Avila. Detailed information about the attraction. Description, photographs and a map showing the nearest significant objects. The title in English is Basilica de San Vicente.

Photo and description

The Basilica of St. Vincent is the second largest and most important temple in Avila after the Cathedral. The basilica is dedicated to Deacon Vincent and his sisters Sabina and Cristeta, canonized, and erected on the site of their burial.

The construction of the temple lasted from the 12th to the 14th century. The church was erected in the Romanesque style by the project of the French architect Giral Frushel, who led the construction at its initial stage. The building is shaped like a Latin cross, with three naves ending in semicircular apses and crossed by an elongated transept. In the construction of the church building, sandstone of a special yellow and orange shade was used, sometimes with reddish veins due to the iron oxide contained in its composition. The western facade of the building is richly decorated. The main entrance to the building is located here, divided into two parts. The facade is decorated with the figure of Christ, surrounded by ten apostles. The southern facade, decorated with the figures of the Virgin Mary and the Archangel Gabriel, looks no less majestic.

Inside the basilica is its main attraction - the magnificent cenotaph of Saints Vincent, Sabina and Cristeta, dating back to the 12th century and which is an outstanding work of sculptural art from the Romanesque period. The cenotaph is richly decorated with sculptural images based on biblical stories, as well as the martyrdom of the saints themselves.

In 1882, the Basilica of St. Vincent was declared a national architectural monument of Spain.

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Topic: Basilica of St. Vincent (Basilica de San Vicente) description and photos - Spain: Avila.