The Collegiate Church of Santa Maria in Villafranca

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In the 12C the Benedictine Monks built a Monastery in Villafranca with an attached hostel. Here they housed and cared for pilgrims on the Camino de Santiago. Nothing remains of this first church which gradually declined as pilgrims dwindled from the 14C onwards.

The exterior of the church

Today’s church, the Collegiate Church of Santa Maria, started building in 1529, commissioned by the second Marquis of Villafranca, Pedro de Toledo.

The Collegiate Church of Santa Maria in Villafranca
Rear of the Collegiate Church of Santa Maria
The Collegiate Church of Santa Maria in Villafranca
Front facade of the Collegiate Church of Santa Maria
The Collegiate Church of Santa Maria
On a corner of the steps leading up to the Church

Inside the Church of Santa Maria

The Church interior is very grand indeed, and feels rather too small – I wonder if the building was originally planned to be longer? It was quite dark inside and tripods are not allowed so please forgive the graininess of the photographs.

The Collegiate Church of Santa Maria on the Camino de Santiago
The back of the Choir in the Church of Santa Maria
The Collegiate Church of Santa Maria on the Camino de Santiago
High Altar in the Church of Santa Maria
The Collegiate Church of Santa Maria on the Camino de Santiago
High Altar in the Church of Santa Maria
The Collegiate Church of Santa Maria on the Camino de Santiago
Ceiling and the vaulting in the Church of Santa Maria
The Collegiate Church of Santa Maria on the Camino de Santiago
The front of the Choir in the Church of Santa Maria
The Collegiate Church of Santa Maria on the Camino de Santiago
Choir Stalls in Santa Maria

Pilgrims at the church

Someone was sitting at a small table in this side aisle (below), just inside the main door, and stamping the pilgrims’ passports. There was a regular flow of these pilgrims each time I visited the Church.

The Collegiate Church of Santa Maria on the Camino de Santiago
The side of the Choir in the Church of Santa Maria

Altarpieces in the Church of Santa Maria

The altarpieces in the church are rich and ornate, but sometimes it is the simplest icons which are the most arresting.

The Collegiate Church of Santa Maria on the Camino de Santiago
One of the altarpieces in the Church of Santa Maria
The Collegiate Church of Santa Maria on the Camino de Santiago
Altarpiece in the Church of Santa Maria
The Collegiate Church of Santa Maria on the Camino de Santiago
Ornate altarpiece in the Church of Santa Maria
The Collegiate Church of Santa Maria on the Camino de Santiago
Altarpiece in the Church of Santa Maria
The Collegiate Church of Santa Maria in Villafranca
Crucifix in the Church of Santa Maria

I loved the atmosphere in the Collegiate Church of Santa Maria in Villafranca and visited several times, sometimes just to sit and enjoy the quietness.

Further information
Villafranca del Bierzo
The Monastery & the Church

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