The discovery of what may be the ruins of the first Christian church in the North West Murcia region during the excavations on the Cerro de la Virgen may mean the history of Calasparra will be re-written.
The remains which appeared to be a grand building have turned out to be the ruins of the first Christian Church in Calasparra.
This discovery awaits a definitive planimetric study but the edifice conforms to a rectangular floor with a small apse facing east, an orientation which is a distinctive sign of the early Christian churches. An apse is a semicircular or polygonal recess in a church, arched or with a domed roof and typically at the church’s eastern end.
The central body is extended by two wings, one each side and the sanctuary, originally rectangular, accomodates the small apse re-orientated towards the interior. The side naves of the church, partially razed, surround the principal nave.
Apart from the discovery of this great religious building a bronze luminary (altar light) in the form of the paloma eucharist was discovered.
Thes discoveries are so significant they would probably lead significant changes to the history of Calasparra and the Sanctuary of Our Lafy of Hope may be linked to the church on the Cerro de la Virgen.
The remains which appeared to be a grand building have turned out to be the ruins of the first Christian Church in Calasparra.
This discovery awaits a definitive planimetric study but the edifice conforms to a rectangular floor with a small apse facing east, an orientation which is a distinctive sign of the early Christian churches. An apse is a semicircular or polygonal recess in a church, arched or with a domed roof and typically at the church’s eastern end.
The central body is extended by two wings, one each side and the sanctuary, originally rectangular, accomodates the small apse re-orientated towards the interior. The side naves of the church, partially razed, surround the principal nave.
Apart from the discovery of this great religious building a bronze luminary (altar light) in the form of the paloma eucharist was discovered.
Thes discoveries are so significant they would probably lead significant changes to the history of Calasparra and the Sanctuary of Our Lafy of Hope may be linked to the church on the Cerro de la Virgen.
The Mayoress of Calasparra, Teresa Garcia, with the Head of the local Department of Culture and Patrimony, Antonio Merino, and the municipal archeologist, Carmen Melgarejo, have visited the excavations which are being directed by Dr. David Martínez and Chico and the archeologist, Rubén Fernández Tristante.
