San Miguel Church, Jerez de la Frontera, Spain

The Church of Saint Michael started its life in the end of the 15th century. A plaque at the door of its Gothic facade is dated 1484. It is believed that the church was commissioned by the Catholic Monarchs when they visited the city in 1484. Previously, the area was served by an old hermitage. Its construction, however, would last several centuries resulting in an excellent cathedral-like set where latest gothic elements and other ones typical from beginning and full renaissance and baroque.

References:

Wikipedia

Religious sites in Spain

User Reviews

Yvan W (2 months ago)
Splendid and great view from the top of the tower too. c

Donatas Kuras (6 months ago)
Amazing church not to be missed. Entrance is 4 euros.

Anita (13 months ago)
Came here looking for daily Mass. The man at the front desk was incredibly helpful and kind, in true Spanish fashion. The exterior of the church is beautiful. The plaza in front is serene and peaceful, perfect for prayer or a rest. And the horse drawn buggies come right through here, right in front of the church.

Ryon00 Gmailer (2 years ago)
Paying 6 euros to get in and they don't even refill the anti-covid hydroalcoholic gel... no photos policy is the only protection they offer. Thank you for helping the virus...

Victor Neto (3 years ago)
Another Spanish gem. Can't get enough of the ancient architecture and condition of these buildings. Wow

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The Broch of Gurness is an Iron Age broch village. Settlement here began sometime between 500 and 200 BC. At the centre of the settlement is a stone tower or broch, which once probably reached a height of around 10 metres. Its interior is divided into sections by upright slabs. The tower features two skins of drystone walls, with stone-floored galleries in between. These are accessed by steps. Stone ledges suggest that there was once an upper storey with a timber floor. The roof would have been thatched, surrounded by a wall walk linked by stairs to the ground floor. The broch features two hearths and a subterranean stone cistern with steps leading down into it. It is thought to have some religious significance, relating to an Iron Age cult of the underground.

The remains of the central tower are up to 3.6 metres high, and the stone walls are up to 4.1 metres thick. The tower was likely inhabited by the principal family or clan of the area but also served as a last resort for the village in case of an attack.

The broch continued to be inhabited while it began to collapse and the original structures were altered. The cistern was filled in and the interior was repartitioned. The ruin visible today reflects this secondary phase of the broch's use.

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Pieces of a Roman amphora dating to before 60 AD were found here, lending weight to the record that a 'King of Orkney' submitted to Emperor Claudius at Colchester in 43 AD.

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In the 9th century, a Norse woman was buried at the site in a stone-lined grave with two bronze brooches and a sickle and knife made from iron. Other finds suggest that Norse men were buried here too.

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