Iglesia de Santa María de Paradela
There is just a single nave, with a semi-circular apse. The church was reformed in 1738, according to an inscription on the tower, but the Romanesque style can still be seen in the apse, all of the north wall and also parts of the south wall. The first thing that strikes you inside is the huge arch of triumph, held up by two thick columns The arch is decorated by a twin-border, wide thread, the outside is decorated with heraldic pieces, the inside with rose windows and framed by an upper lintel and semi-circular mould on the lower profile. The apse has two parts, the first part is straight, held up by two parallel arches, and the arch of triumph and a second one with the same directrix; the second part has a semi-circular floor-plan. This is a very common solution in Romanesque architecture, possibly stemming from the absidioles of the Compostela cathedral. The straight section of the presbytery is covered with a dome, starting with a bevelled impost that runs along the upper parts of the wall of the presbytery all along the perimeter. On the north wall, the impost is decorated with heraldic pieces, while on the south wall there is also a section adorned with balls, possibly a subsequent edition. The narrow band that finishes off the impost is also decorated with a small arch on the south wall and with rhombuses on the north wall. The second pointed arch of the presbytery is actually the start of a horseshoe arch, currently covered by an 18th-century altar. On this altar -which decorates the apse, comprising a beautiful Baroque-style carving- are two columns decorated with bunches of grapes and leaves, very common in this Baroque style, along with some wonderful faces of angels, also carved on the altar. Above the arch of triumph is a rounded arch window, in a square corner and unadorned. The columns on which the arch of triumph rests are all of major proportions, of three semi-keystones, with ornate seats, initial ring, concave profile with three centres and a fillet. The capitals are very interesting. The south side is adorned with large leaves and a person sitting down, very crudely carved. The capital on the side of the Epistle is decorated with crotchets and balls. These capitals are finished with large bevelled profiles, with their vertical sides decorated with rose windows. The window that opens on the south wall of the apse is more recent. The capital on the side of the epistle, belonging to the second transverse arch, is the most interesting one, as it is decorated with three unidentifiable persons, sitting down, crudely carved and finished with a crown profile slightly smaller than the capitals of the arch of triumph, which is also unadorned. The internal capital of the Gospel side has the same decoration as the capital of the north side of the arch of triumph, and the crown profile, similar to that of the interior capital of the opposite side. The north wall is almost fully conserved in the Romanesque style of the initial work, with the remains of a longitudinal impost, currently worn. There are also the two original large windows in a square corner, in a curved arch and without exterior and interior decoration. A very interesting door opens in this wall, finished in a directrix arch blocked out on its external cover, which retains its two notches and an unadorned monolithic tympanum. The other door opened in this wall, as well as the access porch, are from the 18th century. This wall also has two buttresses which, although they belong to the primitive work, were subsequently reinforced. The south wall of the nave is almost all from the 18th century, from 1738, although it still has some Romanesque fragments. It has two side chapels, covered with a barrel vault that runs perpendicular to the nave; the one nearest to the head is decorated with panels. This chapel has a striking carving of Christ, which is kept in a glass case. This wonderful figure dates back to the 18th century and is of particular interest as it is articulated. Continuing with the description, we come across the tower, which joins the south wall and makes a corner with the façade, built in the 18th century in Baroque style from Compostela. The works were paid for by the Mosquera family. The current roof is a trussed gable one with wooden beams, as was the original. The Romanesque nave was shorter than it currently is. Outside there is a semi-circular apse with three parts formed by two strong columns and two buttresses that correspond inside with the arch of triumph. The cornice has a bevelled and smooth profile, and is supported in the middle, between the columns, by five cantilevers with a smooth cavetto profile. On the side sections, it is supported by three cantilevers on each side, all with the same profile. The cornice of the nave walls dates back to when the church was expended, with an ogee mould. Also worthy of praise are the beautiful gardens outside, with an extensive lawn and flowers that decorate the atrium, making it a magical place in spring and giving it a touch of tranquillity and well-being during the rest of the year. To sum up, this church may be considered a fine example of Romanesque architecture from the end of the 12th century, hinting at the Gothic style that would come later, and it is also a fine example of the integration of two different architectural styles such as Romanesque and Baroque
Access
- Accesos para vehículos privados: Sí
- Accesos a pie: Sí
Services
- Baños públicos: Sí
Features
Responsible body Diocese of Santiago de Compostela Chronology End of the 12th century, refurbished in 1738- Description of the surroundings: Rural
- Abierto festivos: Sí
- En uso: Sí
- Estilo Arquitectónico: Romanesque
- Tipología: Temple/church
- Propiedad: Public
- Interés Paisajístico: Moderate
Timetables
- Horario de Oficios: Sí