Describing a building

The most beautiful building in my town is the Church of Santa Maria del Collado. It is situated in the top of the town, in the old town.

Nobody knows who it was designed by. Construction began in the 13th century but the building wasn't completed until the 16th century.

It is one of the largest churches in the town and there is the Image of Santa Maria del Collado, Patron Saint from Santisteban del Puerto. It has some statues, one of them is Christ Medinaceli, who is very venerated.

Its plan is Romanesque, although the columns are very thin.

Outside the Church has a portico with arches which is accessed by a staircase. It has two doors by which to enter, the first one is older than the second.

Inside the Church is quite dark, there are two small windows. It has one central nave and two small naves separated by cylindrical columns with Romanesque capitals ( with leaves, fruits, figures of animals like lions, bulls, fish and human figures and angels).

On the High Alter is the Image of Santa Maria del Collado, and to the right of the altar is the Sacristy with a Gothic window.

Outside there is a big balcony from there you can see the town: the Town Hall square, the old streets, the Church of San Esteban... It is a fantastic view of the town.

It is free to go in, if it were closed you should call a woman, who lives next to the church and she will open it.

Writing to a friend

Hi Daniel!

Thanks for your last e-mail. It was great to hear from you again. Your news is fantastic and I'm really happy that you want to visit Spain. My exams went very well, thank you, I hope yours went well, too.

I'm very happy that you're coming to stay here for three weeks, and I'm sure you'll have a good time. I think you should come here in July or August, when I'll be on holiday, and I'll be able to go with you to some interesting places.

I think you should visit some places in Andalucía: Jaén, Granada, Córdoba... Andalucía is an amazing place in Spain. And you'd visit others places in Spain like Madrid, Toledo. In Spain there are many places to visit. I'll send you some information about these cities ( monuments, festivals, hotels...)
If I were you, I'd travel by train to go from one city towards another city and by car when you are in the city.

I'm really happy that you plan to spend a few days in and around my town, we'll meet here. I'd be very happy if you stayed in my house. We'll have a good time.

I'm looking forward to seeing you soon.
Best wishes,
Elvira