Church of San Juan Bautista
Type:
Churches
Date:
661
Location or Findspot (Modern-Day Country):
Spain
Description:
The Visigothic church of San Juan Bautista, or San Juan de Baños, in the small village of Baños de Cerrato, was founded in 661 by King Recceswinth (r. 649–72). The mythology around the foundation states that the king was cured of illness by the nearby water source and so dedicated the small church to St. John the Baptist. Although the layout was later modified, the three-aisled nave originally had three square-ended chapels. The church makes extensive use of horseshoe arches inside and outside, with the interior marble columns having been spoliated from nearby Roman buildings and topped with Visigothic capitals. Certain bands of carved ornament are very similar to the motifs running along the top and bottom of a votive crown also associated with King Recceswinth.
Relevant Textbook Chapter(s):
3,
4
Image Credits:
Wikimedia Commons
