IGLESIA SANTA CRISTINA DE LENA
Pre-Romanesque church, classified as a World Heritage Site, with sculptures of geometrical motifs
Near the Payares Pass, it is a jewel of pre-Romanesque art from the ninth century, declared a World Heritage Site in 1985. This church, which is not mentioned in any document of the time, is considered to be part of the Ramirense period, built around the year 850. Its style is close to that of Santa María del Naranco and San Miguel de Lillo, near Oviedo, but the church has more Visigothic elements, such as the plan of the chapel and the bas-reliefs on the chancel (a kind of altar), with sculptures of geometric motifs, leaves, birds, etc. On one of them, an inscription dating back to 643 can be deciphered. It is also defined by its iconostasis, a triple row of arches supported by marble columns, separating the presbytery from the area of the faithful. In total, it consists of five quadrangular bodies, the largest of which corresponds to the nave and the other four to the vestibule, the church service and the chapel. All these spaces are covered with arched barrel vaults. The present appearance of the church is the result of two major renovations in the 19th and 20th centuries.
It is located on a hill from which, on a clear day, there is a magnificent view of the Peña Chago and part of the Roman road(Vía Carisa). It is advisable to visit it after visiting the Asturian Pre-Romanesque Interpretation Centre, located below. A short 15-minute climb up a stone path will suffice.
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