BASÍLICA ROMÁNICA DE SAN PRUDENCIO DE ARMENTIA

ROMANESQUE BASILICA OF SAN PRUDENCIO DE ARMENTIA, PATRON SAINT OF ÁLAVA The Basilica of San Prudencio de Armentia, located in the Álava Plains, 3 km from Vitoria-Gasteiz, is a 12th-century Romanesque church with 18th-century renovations. Its history dates back to Roman times, when Armentia was an important crossroads. Tradition places the birth of San Prudencio, patron saint of Álava, there before the Muslim invasion. Between the 9th and 11th centuries, Armentia was the seat of a bishopric, but in 1088 it was absorbed by the Diocese of Calahorra. The church became a collegiate church, and in 1498 it became a parish church. The current Romanesque basilica was commissioned by Bishop Rodrigo de Cascante (1146-1190) and was originally dedicated to Saint Andrew the Apostle, although in 1970 it was renamed Saint Prudentius. Exterior: South Façade: Notable are the figurative corbels, with representations of monsters, animals, and human figures. Apse: The oldest element, with three windows framed by archivolts and capitals with enigmatic figures. Interior: Apse: The capitals of the windows are striking in their simplicity. Transept: Retains the original structure, with pointed barrel vaults and ornate capitals. Dome: With a ribbed vault and the Tetramorph, featuring the figures of the four Evangelists. Baptismal font: One of the oldest in Álava, with a semi-spherical bowl and decoration of small arches. Nave: The result of 18th-century restoration, with groin vaults and Romanesque supports with figurative capitals. Portico reliefs: Annunciation: Relief of the Annunciation of the Archangel Gabriel to Mary. Ascension: Large tympanum of the Ascension of Christ, with figures of apostles and angels. Victorious Knight: Relief of a knight trampling a vanquished one, identified as Constantine or James. Mystic Lamb: Tympanum with the Lamb bearing the cross and the Chi-Rho monogram. Pointed arches: Supports with reliefs of the Sacrifice of Isaac and column-statues. Descent into Hell: Relief of the Descensus ad Inferos, with infernal figures and the liberation of the righteous. Holy Burial and Resurrection: Relief depicting the recumbent body of Christ, the Holy Burial, and the Three Marys. 18th-Century Reforms: The cloister and adjoining buildings were removed. The apse was flanked by sacristies. The nave was rebuilt, and the dome was modified. The reliefs from the pediment were moved to the portico. The bell tower was rebuilt, and the corbels were moved to the south façade. Later Romanesque Devotional Elements: Image of Saint Prudentius, patron saint of Álava. Baroque altarpiece of Saint Andrew. Image of Our Lady of Estíbaliz, co-patron saint of Álava. Gothic tabernacle with a Hispano-Flemish Pietà. Altarpiece of Our Lady of the Rosary. Pentecost ensemble, in the style of Alonso Berruguete. The Basilica of San Prudencio de Armentia is an important example of the Romanesque style in Álava, with a rich repertoire of sculpture and elements of worship from different periods.