espadaña
bell gable
espada
sword
+
-aña
augmentative suffix
An espadaña is a bell gable, which can be thought of as a large or prominent1 (-aña1) structure shaped like a sword0 (espada0), often seen on top of churches.
noun
- bell gableA bell gable or bell-wall, typically found in Spanish churchesLa iglesia tiene una espadaña con tres campanas. // The church has a bell gable with three bells.