Description
The origins of the parish church of Nuestra Señora de la Asunción are linked to a medieval legend: the apparition of the Virgen de Lorite at a farmstead, expressing her wish to be honoured with a church. Construction of the church began in the 14th century. Its small dimensions reflect its original medieval typology.Its floor plan features three naves, with the central one wider than the rest. The pillars separating the naves have different layouts, and the arches connecting the central nave with the side naves are semicircular, except in the Gothic area of the presbytery, where they are naturally pointed. A barrel vault covers the three bays of the central nave, which is lined by a cornice and defined by false transverse arches resting on buttresses. The presbytery, built in the 14th century, is constructed of ashlar and roughly hewn stone, though only partially, and is covered by a rib vault with tiercerons, diagonals and a ridge rib. The passage from the nave into the presbytery is emphasised by a large pointed chancel arch with roll mouldings and Gothic capitals decorated with lilies. In contrast due to their more recent date are the sacristy, located at the start of the left-hand side, balanced on the opposite side by a chapel. At the foot of the church stands the choir, raised on Solomonic columns, with a wooden balustrade and three basket-handle arches.
