San Juan Church

The Church of San Juan, in Malaga

The Church of San Juan, or San Juan Bautista, is one of the oldest of Malaga, one of the four parishes founded by the Catholic Monarchs after the reconquest of the town in 1487. The Malaga audio-guided tour stops here, with respect, to evoke this sanctuary with an eventful past, marked by the earthquakes and the alterations of its high tower.

One of the four parishes of the Reconquest

At the end of a most bloody battle, at the end of the fifteenth century, Malaga, then under the domination of the last Muslim dynasty, called Nasrid, fell into the hands of the Catholic Monarchs. This religious building is one of the four churches founded in 1487, following this reconquest of the town, to reorganise Christian life there. Built in the Mudéjar Gothic style mingled with later influences, the parish of San Juan was very damaged by a violent earthquake in 1680, that imposed important renovations and deep technical readjustments. It is thus that the main entrance was entirely diverted, the access being henceforth through the base of the slender tower, opening onto a lateral nave and no longer a central one. It is only in 1988 that another door, pierced in the left part, endowed the monument with a second opening, more traditional and wide. The high bell tower, one of the landmarks of the old centre, dominates the surrounding lanes and shelters the bells that have given the rhythm to the life of the district for centuries. Inside, in an atmosphere conducive to contemplation, the church keeps a rich heritage of altars, altarpieces and images of Andalusian popular devotion, notably linked to the brotherhoods of Holy Week. A former parish of the Reconquest and a sanctuary of old Malaga, the Church of San Juan is discovered with respect.

What to see

Here you discover, with respect, one of the oldest churches of Malaga, one of the four parishes founded by the Catholic Monarchs after the reconquest of 1487; very damaged by the earthquake of 1680, it saw its main entrance diverted to the base of its high bell tower, and keeps inside altars, altarpieces and images of Andalusian popular devotion. The Church of San Juan is a sanctuary of old Malaga. It is a stop to be discovered with respect.

Practical information

The Church of San Juan lies in the heart of the historic centre of Malaga, reachable on foot. A place of worship in activity, it can be visited with respect for services; entry and hours follow the conditions of the parish, which vary. It is best to check them before coming and to respect the sacred character of the place.

Why is the Church of San Juan of Malaga important?

Because it is one of the four parishes founded by the Catholic Monarchs after the reconquest of the town in 1487, and one of the oldest of Malaga; very damaged by the earthquake of 1680, it saw its entrance diverted to the base of its high bell tower, a landmark of the old centre, and keeps a rich heritage of Andalusian devotion.

Where is the Church of San Juan in Malaga?

In the heart of the historic centre of Malaga, in Andalusia, in Spain.