A 13th-century ruin with a fresco of red and blue snakes

The old church of San Juan is a structure that mixes original temple ruins, 19th-century houses, and modern additions. Construction began around 1200, with much of the current building dating to the late 13th century and early 14th century. It is a massive rectangular hall featuring rib vaults and a heavy stone exterior constructed from ashlar masonry.

During the war of Independence, the church was used as a garrison by French troops and its heritage was looted. Following the collapse of the tower in 1874, the building was removed from the parish and passed into private hands. It was declared a national historic-artistic monument in 1982. Today, the site remains a mix of original temple ruins, 19th-century houses, and modern additions.

Inside the church, the rib vaults are a standout feature. One area features a fresco of a starry sky where, though very deteriorated, you can still see red and blue snakes with their mouths directed toward the ribs. Other interior details include a devil's face on a corbel, a two-bodied bull, and a head on a capital.

Noble history remains visible in four surviving chapels. These include the chapel of the Piedad, paid for by the Velandia family, and the chapel of San Juan evangelista, where the Chantre de Calahorra was buried in 1352. While it is no longer a functioning parish, the building remains a protected piece of heritage.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons