Church of St. John the Apostle

It is one of the seven churches in the town today, and one of the 18 it has had throughout history. At least five were built in the same style, although only the Santiago church, probably the oldest of all, remains today.

The abundant number of churches in this style, both in the town and in the region (Pedrosillo de Alba, Turra de Alba, Galleguillos, Gajates, Coca de Alba, Peñarandilla, etc.), together with the purity of the lines of some of them, have led Alba de Tormes to be considered one of the centers of origin of this artistic style.

Built in the late 12th and early 13th centuries, following the repopulation of the town initially commissioned by Alfonso VI to Raymond of Burgundy and later by Alfonso IX, the church underwent significant renovations beginning in the 15th century, the period to which the rear part dates. In 1791, it lost its original Byzantine-style portico, under which the council met to administer justice, as this church had municipal status during the 15th century.

It was finally restored in 1957, removing the Baroque details it had covered in the 18th century to return it to its original appearance and erecting the current portico.

Since June 24, 1993, it has been declared a BIC (Property of Cultural Interest), being of great interest both for its architecture and the artistic pieces it houses, adding to the temple’s own heritage, artistic works from other churches in the town (San Miguel and Santiago).