To spot the Church of Santa María and San Nicolás, look for the large stone building with a tall, square bell tower that changes to an octagonal shape at the top, a round stained-glass window above a richly decorated baroque doorway, and sculptures around the entrance.
Now, as you stand before this grand church, let me take you back in time-imagine the year is 1747, and the townspeople of Calella are going about their day when-boom!-the campanile, that tall bell tower you see to your left, comes crashing down, making a noise that would startle even the bravest cat in town. The old church, which had stood proudly since the 1500s, was left badly damaged. But Calella’s people weren’t ones to give up easily. They rallied together, and under the clever hand of architect Josep Morató, started building this very church you see in front of you.
Can you picture the sound of hammers and chisels echoing through the square as the new neoclassical design rose up, its long single nave stretching almost 50 meters, and those thick walls curving into the shape of a Latin cross? Over time, the church grew grander, with chapels tucked between its sturdy buttresses and a soaring dome lighting up the crossing. Still, no matter how new and beautiful things got, the old church left something behind-a magnificent baroque doorway carved with the heads of the twelve apostles and plenty of other decorative surprises, including a saint watching over you from a little alcove.
But wait, don’t get too cozy-history had more drama in store! In 1936, disaster struck again when the inside of the church was destroyed by fire. The whole town must have let out a collective sigh-maybe even a little grumble-at their bad luck. Still, just as before, the people refused to give up. Workers rebuilt from the ashes, and finally, in 1951, the church reopened its doors, proud and standing tall. Today, those thick stone walls keep their secrets, but if you look closely, those twelve stone faces above the doorway might just be smiling at another visitor who loves a good comeback story.
So, take a moment here-enjoy the light streaming through the great rose window and the peaceful square outside. This church is proof that even when life comes crashing down, you can always build something beautiful again.
