Church of San Juan Bautista, Baños de Cerrato facts for kids
Quick facts for kids San Juan Bautista de Baños de Cerrato |
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 San Juan Bautista de Baños de Cerrato
Location in Spain
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| 41°55′15″N 4°28′20″W / 41.9208°N 4.47236°W | |
| Location | Baños de Cerrato, Castile and León, Spain |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic |
| Tradition | Roman Rite |
| Architecture | |
| Architectural type | Church |
| Style | Preromanesque |
| Completed | 7th century |
| Specifications | |
| Materials | Stone |
The Church of San Juan Bautista (which means Saint John the Baptist) is a very old stone church. It is located in a village called Baños de Cerrato in central Spain. This church is special because it was built a long, long time ago by the Visigoths. The Visigoths were a powerful group of people who lived in Spain during the Early Middle Ages.
Contents
History of the Church
Where the Church Stands
The church is built in a rich valley. Here, the Pisuerga River meets the Carrión River. Long ago, during Roman times, this area was a popular spot for holidays. Many private villas (large country houses) were built here. Both in Roman times and when the Visigoths lived here, this region was important for growing grain. Today, a nearby town called Venta de Baños is much bigger.
King Recceswinth's Church
The church was ordered by the Visigothic king Recceswinth. He ruled Hispania, which is the old name for modern-day Spain and Portugal. The church was finished in the year 661. People believe a special ceremony to open the church happened on January 3, 661.
There is an old stone inscription above the church's entrance. It tells us about the church's dedication. This text was also copied into an old book from the 10th century. It says:
This place belongs to John the Baptist, who prepared the way for the Lord. I, King Recesvinto, who loves your name, built this church as a lasting gift to you. I dedicated it in my own right, in the thirteenth year of my reign, in the year 699 of the Spanish Era.
The church was built as a royal project. It was overseen by the Bishops of Palencia.
How Old Is It Really?
Some experts think the church might not be as old as 661. They suggest it could be from the 9th or 10th century. They point out that the church uses large, squared stones called ashlar. This type of stone work was not common in other buildings from the Visigothic period. Also, some carved stones in the church's decoration seem to be older Visigothic pieces that were reused. If it is from the 9th or 10th century, its style would be called Repoblación or Mozarabic.
Architecture of the Church
The church is built using ashlar stones. These are carefully cut, squared stones. They are put together without any mortar (a type of cement). This way of building is called "drywall." This church, along with a few other Visigothic churches in Spain, represents the last time this type of ashlar construction was used in Western Europe until the time of Charlemagne. It shows the end of an ancient Roman building method in the west. Experts have also noticed that the horseshoe-shaped arches in the church might show influence from Syria. The bell tower you see on top was added much later.
Nearby Discoveries
The village name, Baños, means "baths." There is a fountain near the church called the Fuente de San Juan (Saint John's Fountain). This suggests there might have been old baths or springs in the area.
Archaeologists dug near the church in 1956 and 1963. They found a medieval cemetery with 58 tombs. They also discovered three bronze items from the 7th century. These included two belt buckles shaped like a lyre (a musical instrument) and one object used in church services.
See also
In Spanish: Iglesia de San Juan de Baños para niños
- Visigothic Kingdom
- Ashlar
