Spain - Ronda, Santa María la Mayor

Without doubt the Iglesia de Santa María la Mayor is one of the most important religious buildings of Ronda. It was considered as a kind of cathedral, according to the founding documents.

In 1485 - after the conquest of the city from the Moors - the catholic monarchs ordered the building of the church at the place of the mosque. During the constructing there were and it was not finished until the end of the 17th century. This explains the combination of different styles of the church: a part of the former Moorish Mirhab, gothic columns in the three naves, a renaissance choir and ends with some baroque elements.

A central cedar choir screen divides the church into two sections: aristocrats to the front, everyone else at the back. The rear of this choir screen (main picture) is centering Our Lady of Peace surrounded by 14 elaborate wood carved renaissance reliefs.

The exterior of the church (PiP) has some beautiful balconies, built during the regime of Felip II. These were used by local authorities and aristocracy for watching knight games, bull fighting and other public acts on the square in front of the building.