The Oldest Church in Spain: San Juan Bautista in Palencia

San Juan Bautista, in the province of Palencia, is widely recognized as the oldest church in Spain. The church was built by the Visigothic King Recceswinth in the year 661, during Iberia's rule by the Visigoths. The building is a living fossil of Spanish Christian architecture, predating the later Moorish rule in Spain. In gratitude for a miraculous curing of his kidney ailment after passing through this area, Recceswinth ordered the construction of this church and dedicated it to St. John the Baptist. The church is a pure example of Visigothic architecture, with details such as slightly horseshoe-shaped arches that later spread eastward across the Islamic world. The church is located in a quiet, less crowded area, making it an ideal destination for those interested in connecting with Spain’s deep historical roots.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons