San Juan Bautista Church - Los Villares
The original temple was founded by Juan de Requena and Bastián Ruiz del Salto on April 22, 1539, dedicated to SanJuan de Bautista. The first clergyman to serve it was Miguel de Biedma. During the seventeenth century,the small temple was in great need of expansion, and the famous architect Eufrasio López de Rojas was commissioned to carry out the simple project, but the project was halted due to a lack of funds. In May 1785, the Viceprior and factory manager, Manuel de Arredondo, requested the reform and expansion of the temple due to its poor condition. In June of that year, the master builder Ramón Maroto issued a detailed report on the works required to secure the old area and expand the temple. With the works authorized, work was started by the architect Miguel de Aranderas, who at that time was one of the most accredited in Jaén. The work involved, among others, the stonemasons Agustín Peinado, Manuel Caballero, Juan de Armenteros, Juan de Ortega and Pedro Caballero.The new temple was opened for worship in 1798. In 1829, it was once again the object of some remodeling, directed by Don Manuel Paedilla. During the tumult of the Civil War, the church was seized on August 3, 1936, leading to its destruction. Nonetheless, today it preserves its primitive disposition typical of Mannerist religious architecture.
Location
Located on Calle Sacristía.