Iglesia de San Juan Bautista Hervas

Iglesia de San Juan Bautista, Hervas, Spain

The Church of San Juan Bautista in Hervás, in the province of Cáceres in Spain belongs to the former Trinitarian Fathers' convent, founded by Juan López Hontineros and María López Burgalés descendants of Jewish converts to Christianity (conversos) in 1664. Its façade bears a striking resemblance to the portal of the Church of San Nicolás in Valladolid, formerly belonging to the Discalced Trinitarian Fathers. The altarpieces in the transept, both the main altarpiece and the side altarpieces, are particularly noteworthy. These 18th-century Baroque altarpieces feature exquisite gilding and are of exceptional overall quality.

The narrow streets of Hervas in Extremadura, Spain

History

The origins of the church reflect the complex religious and cultural history of Hervás, particularly its connections with the historic Jewish Quarter. The convent once included monastic cells and rooms used for theological education before the building became a parish church. The surrounding complex has since evolved, with parts adapted for other uses, including local hospitality accommodation.

Star of David window design in the Old Jewish Quarter

Architecture

The church is distinguished by its striking crimson-red façade, constructed from brick and masonry in the Post-Herrerian style and closely modelled on the Church of St. Nicholas of Bari in Valladolid. Its vivid colour contrasts dramatically with the whitewashed walls and chestnut-wood architecture of Hervás's historic Jewish Quarter. Inside, the church features a central nave covered by a barrel vault and houses elaborate seventeenth-century Baroque altarpieces decorated with intricate carvings and gilded details. The main altarpiece is attributed to Francisco Cutanda, associated with the artistic school of Gregorio Hernández, and reflects the craftsmanship and religious artistry characteristic of the period.

La Cuestecilla (also known as Casa Rural La Cuestecilla), a traditional two-bedroom country house located in the historic Jewish Quarter of Hervás

Access

The best way to reach Hervás from Madrid is by bus. Direct coaches run straight to Hervás from Estación Sur de Autobuses. The small town of around 3,000 people does not have a railway station. It lies 120 km north from Cáceres and 90 km south of Salamanca.

Pretty Hervás

Attractions

The picturesque town lies in the Ambroz Valley (Valle del Ambroz). It is best known for having one of the best-preserved Jewish quarters (Judería) in Spain. Established in the 15th century, the Jewish Quarter features steep, winding lanes, traditional adobe walls, and chestnut-wood framing. It includes Travesía del Moral (aka Travesía del Morón or the "Calle de los Enamorados"), one of the narrowest streets in Spain (measuring only 50 cm wide).

Other places of interest include the Iglesia de Santa María de Aguas Vivas, a 13th-century church built on a former Templar fortress site, the Palacio de Dávila, a former 18th-century noble house that now functions as a home-museum and public library and the Museo de la Moto y el Coche Clásico (museomotoclasica.com) which is a large specialty museum featuring eight pavilions with vintage motorcycles and classic cars from the 1920s to the 1970s (temporarily closed since July 2025 following the passing of its founder, Juan Gil Moreno).

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