Church of San Juan Bautista (Caudiel) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Church of San Juan Bautista |
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Iglesia de San Juan Bautista
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| General information | |
| Type | Church |
| Architectural style | Baroque |
| Location | Caudiel, Castellón, Valencian Community, Spain |
| Town or city | Caudiel |
| Country |  Spain |
| Coordinates | 39°56′44″N 0°34′03″W / 39.94556°N 0.56750°W |
| Inaugurated | 1616 |
The Church of San Juan Bautista (which means "Church of Saint John the Baptist" in Spanish) is a beautiful church found in Caudiel. This town is located in the province of Castellón, within the Valencian Community in Spain. It was first built in 1616 by a person named Pedro Miralles. At the beginning, it belonged to a group of monks called the Augustinians. They used it as a special school for studying philosophy and art.
Contents
History of the Church
How the Church Changed Over Time
After a time when the Spanish government took control of many church properties, the Church of San Juan Bautista was given to the local community. It was then used for different important purposes. Part of the building became the town hall, a school, and even a hospital.
The main parts of the church, like the chapel, the main worship area, and the priest's dressing room, have mostly stayed the same. In 1866, the dome of the older church building collapsed. Today, that original building is where the main town hall is located.
Architecture and Art
What Does the Church Look Like?
The church itself has a wide main area, called a nave, shaped like a cross. It has connected areas, known as cloisters, which lead to smaller chapels. The roof has a special half-orange shaped dome. All these parts are built in the Baroque style, which means they are very decorative and grand.
The chapel has a rounded ceiling, called a barrel vault, with a large, curved arch. The dome is right in the middle of this room. You can see fourteen large paintings covering the walls, and the altar is decorated with gold. Its very fancy look makes it truly stand out.
Famous Paintings and Tiles
The lower part of the walls, called the plinth, is covered with beautiful tiles. On these tiles are seven paintings created by a famous artist from La Mancha named Gaspar de la Huerta. This tiled plinth is considered one of the best examples of the Baroque style in the Valencian Community.
The Virgin of the Tusk
Inside the church, there is a small statue of the Virgin Mary, known as the Virgin of the Lost Child. Locally, people call it the Virgen del Colmillo, which means "Virgin of the Tusk." This is because it was carved from an elephant tusk! It dates back to the 1400s. People say that Saint Vincent Ferrer carried this small statue with him when he traveled and preached. He arrived at the church in Caudiel on October 21, 1627.
See also
In Spanish: Iglesia de San Juan Bautista (Caudiel) para niños
