To spot the Old Church of San Miguel, just look for a sturdy building made from pale bricks with a towering, square bell tower to your right and tall, arched windows that stand out against the blue sky.
Alright, take a good look at those thick, pale stone walls-they’re about as old as your neighbor’s gardening secrets! Imagine you’re standing here in the 1500s. This spot used to be a mosque, and then, in 1558, Juan de Arredondo, a determined architect, shows up with a toolbox and dreams of something grand. Picture the clanging of tools, the bustle of workers, and the scent of fresh mortar-just as the work got going, trouble rolled in! A rebellion broke out, and suddenly, all the construction came to a screeching halt. Dust settled, hopes paused, and the place stood silent, waiting for another chance.
Years later, two new builders, Juan de Vega and Juan Caderas de Riaño, picked up where the silence left off. Imagine their hands scraping stone, their voices echoing in the aisles. Yet, this church seemed destined for drama-by 1670, the work was stopped once again! Maybe the church needed a siesta, or maybe it was just shy about being finished. Either way, as you stand here now, you’re wrapped in the history of a building that saw faith, revolt, hard work, and more than a few unfinished business meetings. The Old Church of San Miguel, a bit mysterious and very much a survivor!
