Church of San Esteban de Aramil

Church of San Esteban de Aramil
Location	Asturias,  Spain

The Church of San Esteban de Aramil (Spanish: Iglesia de San Esteban de Aramil) is a church in Asturias, Spain. The church was first mentioned in documents in 1240 and was declared a cultural monument in 1960.

History

The church is of the Romanesque style, popular between the 10th and 13th centuries, but the church itself cannot be dated more exactly. It was first mentioned in documents from 1240 concerning a donation of goods to the monastery of Valdediós by Alvar Diaz and his wife.

There are two theories concerning its origin; one is that it is the last remaining remnant of a monastery and the other is that it is a nobleman's church, which would have served both as the chapel for the castle and the church for the neighboring town.

It was granted Cultural Monument status on March 23, 1960 which was published in the Official State Bulletin (BOE), 29 June 1960.

Architecture

The church has the classic features of Romanesque architecture; it has a rectangular nave terminated at the southern end by a semicircular apse.

Ornamentation

Sculptural ornamentation of the church includes the doors, located on the western side of the church and in the apse.

The west door has a semicircular arch with two semiarches and screens that rely on separate columns. These columns are formed by shafts supported on bases that have carved lilies forming the columns' capitals, which are decorated with plant motifs.

The southern section is less important in addition to being smaller although it is similar in design to the western door. The decor includes protruding sculptured heads, of Norman origin, showing various imaginary animals.

There is a small central window in the apse.