San Martin de Tours de Fromista

About

Built in the 11th century by order of queen Muniadona of Castile, as part of a now-destroyed monastery, this regal church changed ownership several times over the centuries. In the 15th century it received several additions, such as a bell tower over the original dome, and a sacristy. In the following years, it began to decay, and was declared unfit to serve as a church in the 19th century. In 1894 it was declared a National Monument and a restored to its original state, reopening to the public in 1904. Today, it is one of the most quintessential buildings of the Spanish Romanesque. The three naves topped with barrel vaults and rib arches, while the transept has a polygonal dome. Even the column capitals are works of art, profusely decorated with vegetation and iconography. In place of a main altar, there is a 13th century Crucified Christ flanked by statues.