Art and culture 

Church of San Juan Bautista

The relics of Saint Fulgentius and Saint Florentina, which were salvaged from the Arab invasion, are currently in the parish church of San Juan Bautista, also known as Santa Florentina, in Berzocana.

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  2. Church of San Juan Bautista

The guardian of the holy relics


Location and Contact:

Calle San Fulgencio
10129 Berzocana , Cáceres (Extremadura)
  • Description

    The relics of Saint Fulgentius and Saint Florentina, which were salvaged from the Arab invasion, are currently in the parish church of San Juan Bautista, also known as Santa Florentina, in Berzocana.

    According to legend, in the 13th century, near an olive grove, a farmer found an alabaster sarcophagus containing the remains of Saint Fulgentius and Saint Florentina. Apparently they were moved and hidden there during the period of Arab occupation, when some clergymen from Seville who were fleeing northwards transporting the holy relics took advantage as they passed through Berzocana to bury the alabaster chest for their safekeeping. At present they are kept in the church of San Juan Bautista.

    This is a Gothic church, even though it was built in the 15th and 16th centuries, and has three naves and a starred ribbed vault. A Mudejar tower rises up from the main façade. The Capilla de los Santos is the specific place here the remains of Saint Fulgentius and Saint Florentina are kept, inside a reliquary which was donated by King Philip II of Spain. This church was declared a historical monument of national interest in 1977.

  • Features
    Origin:
  • 15th century
    • Construction:
  • Church
    • Art period:
  • Gothic
  • Mudejar
    • Period in history:
  • 15th century
  • 16th century
    • Official name :
  • Historic-artistic site

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