Wednesday, February 26, 2014

Church of Vera Cruz


La Iglesia de Vera Cruz

Method of Transportation: Walking
Transportation Time: Approximately 20 Minutes
Hours:
     April - September 10:30-1:30, 4:00-7:00
     October - March 10:30-1:30, 4:00-6:00
     Closed Mondays
Cost:
     $2.74/€2.00
     Free Tuesday Afternoons


The Church of the Vera Cruz, or the Iglesia de la Vera Cruz, is one of the oldest churches in Segovia. It was built starting in 1208 by the Caballeros de la Orden del Santo Sepulcro, or the Knights of the Order of the Holy Sepulcher, which is sometimes also attributed to the Knights Templar[1]. It is known for its unusual size as the church is built as a twelve sided polygon, differing from the other churches in Segovia. As one of the “best-preserved of its kind in Europe,” the Church of the Vera Cruz is noted for its historic importance[2].

Entrance


The design of the Church of the Vera Cruz is important to its structure. Built in a Romanesque style, the church has three individual chapels, a two story temple, and a bell tower that was added in the sixteenth century[3]. With Muslim inspired paintings and architecture, the Church of the Vera Cruz has a very “sober and exciting” interior[4]. There is also a stone alter that is decorated with interlaced arches supported by twisted columns in the center of the church[5]. The architecture alone makes the church unique, as well as its distinct structure.  

Unique Architecture 


The church has not only undergone structural changes over the centuries, but has also changed ownership reflective of the different times. After the dissolution the original order that had constructed the church, the Church of the Vera Cruz was given to the Orden de San Juan de Jerusalén, or the Order of St. John of Jerusalem, in 1317; the original order dissolved due to lack of leadership and eventual papal annulment[6]. In 1489, the ownership of the church was officially changed to the Orden de San Juan, or the Order of St. John, by Pope Innocent VIII, but the change did not occur until 1531[7]. The Church of the Vera Cruz remained under the Order of St. John until it was abandoned in 1836[8]. Eighty-three years later in 1919, King Alfonso XIII declared the Church of the Vera Cruz a national monument, but it was not in use until 1951[9]. Currently, the chapter of San Juan Baustista is in charge of the church under the Asamblea Española, or Spanish Assembly[10].


View of the Alcázar


Visible from the Alcázar, the Church of the Vera Cruz is fairly accessible by walking and car. The view from the church also gives a panoramic view of the city near the Alcázar, as well as the surrounding countryside. The church has undergone many structural and ownership changes over the centuries, but still remains as one of the best preserved of its kind. One of the more distinctive churches in Segovia, the Church of the Vera Cruz is also known for its history and design.




Works Cited
“Iglesia de la Vera Cruz.” turismodesegovia.com. Turismo de Segovia, 2014. http://www.turismodesegovia.com/que-ver/monumentos/iglesias-y-monasterios#siete. (accessed February 23, 2014).
“IGLESIA DE LA VERA CRUZ (Segovia).” ordendemalta.es. Orden de Malta, 2014. http://www.ordendemalta.es/story.php?id=446. (accessed February 23, 2014).

 “Vera Cruz Church.” spain.info. Sociedad Estatal para la Gestión de la Innovación y las Tecnologías Turísticas, 2014. http://www.spain.info/en/que-quieres/arte/monumentos/segovia/iglesia_de_la_vera_cruz.html. (accessed February 23, 2014).
  




[1] “Iglesia de la Vera Cruz,” turismodesegovia.com. Turismo de Segovia, 2014, http://www.turismodesegovia.com/que-ver/monumentos/iglesias-y-monasterios#siete (accessed February 23, 2014).
[2] “Vera Cruz Church,” spain.info. Sociedad Estatal para la Gestión de la Innovación y las Tecnologías Turísticas, 2014, http://www.spain.info/en/que-quieres/arte/monumentos/segovia/iglesia_de_la_vera_cruz.html (accessed February 23, 2014).
[3] “IGLESIA DE LA VERA CRUZ (Segovia),” ordendemalta.es. Orden de Malta, 2014, http://www.ordendemalta.es/story.php?id=446 (accessed February 23, 2014).
[4] “Iglesia de la Vera Cruz,” turismodesegovia.com. Turismo de Segovia, 2014.
[5] “IGLESIA DE LA VERA CRUZ (Segovia),” ordendemalta.es. Orden de Malta, 2014.
[6] Ibid.
[7] Ibid.
[8] Ibid.
[9] Ibid.
[10] Ibid.

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