Church of Santos Juanes, Valencia facts for kids
39°28′27.1″N 0°22′45.1″W / 39.474194°N 0.379194°W
Quick facts for kids Church of Santos Juanes |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Location | Valencia |
| Country | Spain |
| Denomination | Catholic Church |
| History | |
| Status | Church |
| Founded | 13th century |
| Dedication | John the Baptist John the Evangelist |
| Architecture | |
| Architectural type | Church architecture |
| Style | Spanish Baroque Valencian Gothic |
| Administration | |
| Archdiocese | Valencia |
The Church of Santos Juanes (which means "Church of the Saints John") is a beautiful Catholic church in Valencia, Spain. People also call it Sant Joan del Mercat or "St. John of the Market." This is because it's right next to Valencia's famous Central Market and across from the Llotja de la Seda building. It's a very old and important building in the city.
Contents
A Look at Its History
The Church of Santos Juanes has a long and interesting past. It was first built in the mid-1200s, around the 13th century. This first church was constructed on the site where an old mosque used to be. It was built in the Gothic style, which means it had tall, pointed arches and large windows.
Rebuilding After Fires
Over the years, the church faced some tough times. Fires in the 1300s meant that parts of it had to be rebuilt. Then, a much bigger fire happened in 1592. This fire caused a lot of damage, so the church needed a major reconstruction.
Archbishop and Viceroy Juan de Ribera ordered this big rebuilding project. The church was redesigned in a fancy and detailed style called Baroque. This new look was finished around the year 1700.
What the Church Looks Like
The Church of Santos Juanes is known for its amazing design, both inside and out.
The Outside of the Church
When you look at the front of the church, you can still see a round window that was part of the older Gothic church. It's now walled up, but it's a cool reminder of the past.
On the back of the church, facing the main square, there's a special area with a statue group. This statue shows the Virgen del Rosario (Virgin of the Rosary) with the baby Jesus. It was made by an artist named Jacopo Bertesi. The statue shows Mary and Jesus surrounded by bright rays, angels, and cherubs.
You'll also see symbols of the two Saints John that the church is named after: a lamb for John the Baptist and an eagle for John the Evangelist. Above the center of the church, there's a clock tower. The roofline is decorated with statues of the "Juanes" (the Saints John) and other important saints like Francesco Borgia and Luis Bertrán.
The Inside of the Church
Step inside, and you'll find even more incredible art. There are statues of the 12 tribes of Israel, also created by Jacopo Bertesi. Look up, and you'll see huge paintings on the ceiling. These frescoes were painted by Antonio Palomino and show scenes of the "Church Triumphant."
Sadly, during a difficult time in Spain's history, the church's interior, including these beautiful frescoes, was damaged by fire. However, much of its beauty still remains for visitors to admire today.
Gallery
-
View from the corner of Carniceros Street
-
Dome of the Communion Chapel
-
Interior
