Monday, 17 February 2014

San Juan de los Caballeros Church

San Juan de los Caballeros Church


History

This church is one of the historic churches which Alfonso X commanded to build above the ancient mosques of the city after the Jerez conquest. The architects Hernán Ruiz and Alfonso Vandelvira were involved in this construction.
Despite Jerez was conquered in 1264, this did not mean a stability in the city, since it was frequently the Arab invasions. The crown needed to Jerez to control the Guadalete River, so Jerez was the defensive city of the province.
In 1285 a really powerful army entered from Africa and in that time, the knights of Jerez met in this church to sign with their own blood a letter to the King Sancho IV in which, they asked to him to help to the city.

Exterior description

The 16th century tower-facade is attributed to Alonso de Vandelvira and is renaissance style. It is composed of an arch which is flanked by four Tuscan columns. The arch forms an access to a little vaulted atrium where is located the main door of the temple. The others bodies are baroque style and were designed by Antón Matín Calafate.
Also, we have to highlight the semicircular head which was castellated during the 18th century, as well as, its lateral facades of the 16th century.

Interior description

The first nave's stretch was built in 1530 and it is covered by a gothic style dome.  The canvas of southeast stretch is made of brick.
The last stretch is renaissance character and breaks the gothic model of the two first sections.
Despite the temple is unique nave, we have to highlight the lateral chapels like De la Jura chapel which has a starry vault built in the 16th century; Capilla de los Zarzanas of 16th century and sanctuary chapel, gothic dome of 16th century.

VisitContact and location

Address: Plaza de San Juan

Telephone:  956324341

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