Church of Santa María a Real do Sar, Santiago de Compostela, Spain

Church of Santa María a Real do Sar was built in the 12th century on the outskirts of the city. Interesting elements on the exterior are the small tower on the façade and the sturdy flying buttresses built between the 17th and 18th centuries. It has a basilical floor plan with three naves, separated by composite pillars decorated with plant motifs. It is covered with barrel vaults reinforced by rib arches. The sanctuary of the collegiate church has three apses; the central one is polygonal and the two side ones are semicircular. The interior lighting comes from the side openings and the rose window on the façade. Elements worth noting in the cloister include the decoration on the capitals, made by the workshop of Master Mateo.

References:

spain.info

Religious sites in Spain

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Marisol (3 years ago)
A magical place, hidden on the Via del Sar. Going down this road you can enjoy the view of the Cidade da Cultura in the distance. The Colexiata is open Tuesday to Saturday from 10 to 14. The small cloister is a beauty and the church, with its leaning columns, is unique. There is a small museum. Parking cars in the area has finally been banned. So you can admire the Colexiata completely.

Douglas Thurlow (3 years ago)
Interesting museum and church but a bit out of the way worth a visit if you fancy a walk

V N (4 years ago)
Immediately on your left as you come into Santiago off the Camino Sanabres/Invierno. If you have the chance (check opening times and days) a visit is well worth your while. In fact, it's worth waiting to visit later, with plenty of time to see the church and to visit the cloister. When I went by it was closed, but even the outside is interesting, with the 18th century buttresses and Romanesque porticos.

Jordi Albatross (4 years ago)
Small place with nice cloisters and away from the masses that invade every corner of Santiago...

Gabriela lsz (5 years ago)
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The beginning of the building of the church was placed to the second half of the 8th century, and it is supposed to have been completed in the 9th century. The Zadar bishop and diplomat Donat (8th and 9th centuries) is credited with the building of the church. He led the representations of the Dalmatian cities to Constantinople and Charles the Great, which is why this church bears slight resemblance to Charlemagne's court chapels, especially the one in Aachen, and also to the Basilica of San Vitale in Ravenna. It belongs to the Pre-Romanesque architectural period.

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Church of Santa María a Real do Sar

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