Monuments

Monument: Andra Mari Church

The oldest religious building of Galdakao is the Andra Mari Church or Santa María. It was built in Elexalde, in the 13th century, replacing the old church Santa Marina de Ganguren wich stood in a very isolated place. Its founder was Don Sancho of Galdakao and Torrezabal. Built in the Middle Ages, it was extended later and rebuilt in 1516. The style is a Romanesque-Gothic mixture with Renaissance elements of reconstruction. The most notable element is the front, Romanesque to Gothic transitional one. Se apoya en eight columns, two of them for the inner three-lobe arch, whose capitals show several human and bird figures. There are still remains left in the belfry from the original building , dated 12th century. In the interior you can observe both styles as well, Romanesque and Gothic. Standing out specially, the plateresc altarpiece with a fantastic carving of Santa María (13th century). In the Gothic nave there is a Romanesque grave from 13th century, consisting of links and ended in a serrated border. It is the grave of the descendants of the founder. In the outside, next to the church, there is a calvario with a gorgeous terminal Renaissance cross with tools from several trades sculpted on it. The temple is considered historical and artistic monument (National Monument).