Iglesia de los Santos Juanes (Church of St. John), Valencia
Right in the thick of Valencia鈥檚 Market Square, wedged between the Central Market and the historic Silk Exchange, the Church of Saint John has long played a central role in the city鈥檚 religious and cultural life. Built in the 13th century on the site of an earlier mosque, the structure has seen multiple rebuilds over time. Fires and wear led to major renovations in the 14th and 16th centuries, which introduced Gothic features. A sweeping Baroque transformation came later, around the year 1700, giving it much of the theatrical flair we see today.
The fa莽ade draws the eye with its rich sculptural detail. At the center is a niche holding an image of the Virgin of the Rosary鈥攕hown with the Christ child resting one hand on a globe, surrounded by rays of light, angels, and cherubs. Higher up, a clock tower rises between two statues: one of Saint John the Baptist, identified by the lamb, and the other of John the Evangelist, symbolized by an eagle. At the top, a well-known weather vane known as the 鈥淪aint John鈥檚 Sparrow鈥� adds a final touch.
Step inside, and the artistry continues. The ceiling is adorned with frescoes by Antonio Palomino, filled with imagery celebrating the Church Triumphant. Along the walls, thirteen plaster statues represent Jacob and the twelve tribes of Israel鈥攅ach figure thoughtfully rendered and full of symbolism.
Officially declared a National Historic-Artistic Monument in 1947, the church has survived centuries of shifting tastes and city life. Thanks to ongoing restoration work, it's holding up beautifully鈥攑roof that with a little care, aging gracefully is entirely possible.
The fa莽ade draws the eye with its rich sculptural detail. At the center is a niche holding an image of the Virgin of the Rosary鈥攕hown with the Christ child resting one hand on a globe, surrounded by rays of light, angels, and cherubs. Higher up, a clock tower rises between two statues: one of Saint John the Baptist, identified by the lamb, and the other of John the Evangelist, symbolized by an eagle. At the top, a well-known weather vane known as the 鈥淪aint John鈥檚 Sparrow鈥� adds a final touch.
Step inside, and the artistry continues. The ceiling is adorned with frescoes by Antonio Palomino, filled with imagery celebrating the Church Triumphant. Along the walls, thirteen plaster statues represent Jacob and the twelve tribes of Israel鈥攅ach figure thoughtfully rendered and full of symbolism.
Officially declared a National Historic-Artistic Monument in 1947, the church has survived centuries of shifting tastes and city life. Thanks to ongoing restoration work, it's holding up beautifully鈥攑roof that with a little care, aging gracefully is entirely possible.
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Iglesia de los Santos Juanes (Church of St. John) on Map
Sight Name: Iglesia de los Santos Juanes (Church of St. John)
Sight Location: Valencia, Spain (See walking tours in Valencia)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Valencia, Spain (See walking tours in Valencia)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Valencia, Spain
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Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
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