Church of Santos Juanes

Valencia, Spain

The Church of Santos Juanes or Sant Joan del Mercat is a Catholic church located in the Mercat neighborhood of the city of Valencia, Spain. By the mid-13th century, a church was built atop the site of a former mosque, initially in a Gothic style; however, fires in the 14th century necessitated reconstruction. A major fire in 1592 led to another reconstruction, commissioned by the Archbishop and Viceroy Juan de Ribera in an exuberant Baroque style completed in 1700. This was located in the Boatella neighborhood, then working class quarters, outside the town walls, that housed some of the Morisco population.

The main facade of the church retains a walled-up oculus of a rose window from the older church. The square exterior of the apse, facing the piazza, houses a central niche decorated with a stucco statuary group of the Virgen del Rosario (Virgin of the Rosary) attributed to Jacopo Bertesi. The group display the Virgin and Child (his hand on the globe) ensconced in a burst of rays, angels, and cherubs. Other portals contain the symbols of John the Baptist (lamb) and John the Evangelist (eagle). The center is surmounted by a clock tower, and a roofline dominated by statues of the Juanes: including the Baptist, the Evangelist, and Saints Francesco Borgia and Luis Bertrán. This facade includes profuse complex iconography including a lamb atop a book with five seals.

The interior has statues depicting the 12 tribes of Israel, also by Bertesi, and large ceiling frescoes depicting numerous themes of the Church Triumphant by Antonio Palomino. The church interiors, including the frescoes, suffered arson damage during the Spanish Civil War.

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Details

Founded: 13th century
Category: Religious sites in Spain

More Information

en.wikipedia.org

Rating

4.4/5 (based on Google user reviews)

User Reviews

David Leach (10 months ago)
We did this on a combo ticket tourist thing and it's currently not really worth visiting. So much is covered with tarps and cloths that it was hard to find the features that were being pointed out in the audio program. The last station #12 was the most interesting cause it actually referenced the scaffolding that was in place and some of the problems they have had with renovating that one little chapel. I'd suggest the whole program would be more interesting if it was geared to the renovation. I saw some good pictures of the bells pre renovation here on Google. Why did they change the structure that the bell hangs from? We'll never know, but that sort of thing would be interesting.
Filip De Beule (11 months ago)
Church is under repair. While it is part of combination ticket of 12€, the church of itself is currently not worth a visit. Audio guide is included but takes too long.
Kirk Pope (13 months ago)
If you go to the market, let me rephrase that, after you go to the market pop outside and take a look at this amazing church. Such craftsmanship and artwork into these buildings. Please post tribute to them. So cool. So. So. Cool. It is under renovation so please be mindful. But enjoy the exterior. Interior entrance was under some scaffolding but we did not go in.
Bogdan Marcelan (13 months ago)
The Englesia de Sant Joan del Mercat is a Gothic church with a Baroque reconstruction. next to the Central Market and Silk Exchange It was originally a Gothic building, but due to the reconstructions after the fires, it has Baroque features. The exterior of the church is beautifully decorated with many details.
Fang He (14 months ago)
Well, I don’t think it is a good time to visit this church as it’s under restoration now. The staff told me it wouldn’t be ready until 2025/2026. If you want to go and have a look anyway, I advise you go at 14:00 because the restoration staff pause their work at that time. Then you’d visit it at least without much noise. Otherwise it would be pretty annoying to walk around the church with audio guide in your ears but cannot hear anything from it. The staff are super friendly btw. I just don’t like the idea that we have to pay for the entrance when it’s not ready for visit.
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