1966 parish church with a preserved 14th-century medieval tower in Piornal.
Municipality
Piornal
Suggested visit time
Not available
Access
Mixed
The Parish Church of Saint John the Baptist is the main religious building in the village of Piornal. The current structure was built in 1966 by architect Tomás Civantos Hernández after the demolition of a deteriorated Gothic church dating from the 15th century. The bell tower from the original church, built in the 14th century using masonry and granite ashlar at the corners, has been preserved and is considered one of the oldest towers in the Jerte Valley. Inside the church, a granite Gothic tabernacle remains as one of the few surviving elements from the former temple. The original building once contained 16th-century Talavera tile altarpieces, which were lost when the earlier church was demolished. Today the church stands as an important historical and religious landmark in Piornal.
Address
Plaza de la Iglesia, centro de Piornal (Cáceres)
The church is located in the urban centre of Piornal and is easily accessible on foot from the main square and surrounding streets. It can also be reached by car to nearby areas, followed by a short walk to the entrance of the building.
It can be visited throughout the year, either during worship hours or when the church is open to visitors. Religious festivities and the Jarramplas celebration in January provide especially interesting opportunities to understand its central role in the life of the town.
BAJA
Resource access level
It is recommended to include the church as part of a walk through the urban centre of Piornal, combining the visit with other landmarks such as painted façades and viewpoints. Inside, visitors should maintain a respectful attitude, keep noise to a minimum and follow any access indications for different areas of the building.
Access to the interior may be limited to specific worship schedules or religious events, so at certain times it may only be possible to view the exterior. On rainy days, the surrounding pavement may be slippery, so caution is advised when walking nearby.