Description of the attraction
In the very center of Blanes, on Carrer Nou street, there is an old church dedicated to St. Mary. The church is part of the architectural ensemble of an ancient castle, built in the 12th century and belonging first to the family of noble aristocrats Blanes, and then to the family of the Viscounts of Cabrera. The church was added to the castle between 1350 and 1410. In 1623, the palace of the Viscounts was acquired by the merchant Estebe Aleman. During the war with France, as well as during the Spanish Civil War, military barracks were located in the premises of the palace.
The Church of Santa Maria was built in the Gothic style. During the hostilities, the palace building and churches were badly damaged. The church building was also badly damaged during a fire on July 22, 1936. Only the facade, the bell tower and the sacristy have survived, which have survived in their original form to the present day. Unfortunately, a fire destroyed the church's magnificent Baroque main altar, 17 additional altars and two episcopal chairs of astonishing beauty by Antoni Gaudí.
In April 1949, work began on the restoration of the building of the Church of Santa Maria. The author of the project and the head of the restoration work was the architect Luis Bonet. The church was completely restored on December 23, 1944.
The facade of the church is decorated with a portal framed by several pointed arches, and a round rosette window located above it. The interior of the church is divided into three naves. The walls of the square-shaped bell tower are decorated with arched window openings.
