Iglesia Parroquial Mayor de San Juan Bautista, Remedios

Discover the oldest church in Cuba, the Iglesia Parroquial Mayor de San Juan Bautista in the city of Remedios, Villa Clara

Iglesia Parroquial Mayor de San Juan Bautista, Remedios
© Wilder Méndez

The Iglesia Parroquial Mayor de San Juan Bautista (Church of St. John the Baptist) was founded in Remedios, a city in Villa Clara, Cuba, in 1692. The church was constructed around a chapel, which was built in 1570, making Iglesia Parroquial Mayor de San Juan Bautista the oldest church on the island.

Iglesia Parroquial Mayor de San Juan Bautista
© Raplh Apeldoorn

Even though the church carries years of history on its shoulders, what makes it truly special is the fact that it is the only baroque styled church in Cuba. It’s beautiful décor, both inside and out, is what makes this church a tourist destination for tourists and native Cubans. The only part of the church that doesn’t follow baroque stylings is the neoclassic bell tower, built between 1848 and 1858.

The church is located in the centric Plaza Martí, the only plaza on the island that houses two churches: the Iglesia Parroquial Mayor de San Juan Bautista and the Iglesia del Buen Viaje (Our Lady of the Good Voyage Church), which dates back to the 1600s. Both churches conduct mass at alternate times.

The interior of the church is just as breath-taking as its exterior. Particularly noteworthy, the church’s main altar, which is covered in gold, and its vaulted ceilings stroked with floral and mahogany decorations. Visitors can also admire a beautiful sculpture of the Immaculate Conception during pregnancy stored inside a display case.

This work of art is one that is unique to the island of Cuba. In 1944 the National Congress of History declared the church a National Monument citing its indisputable architectural uniqueness and beauty.

A helpful tip for visitors: If the main door of the church is closed, you can access the inside of the church through the back door.

More Information:

Location:

Calle Camilo Cienfuegos nº 20, Parque Martí, Remedios, Villa Clara, Cuba.

Opening hours:

From Monday to Friday from 9:00am to 12:00pm and from 2:00pm to 5:00pm.
Mass is offered at 7:30pm.

Interactive map:

Cayo Santa María

What to see:

Beaches:

Santa Clara

What to see:

Museums:

Remedios

What to see:

Museums:

Caibarién

What to see:

Museums:

Villa Clara

Other places:

Other nearby destinations:

Why "Cuban Travel Agency"?

"Cuban Travel Agency" is part of the Visitar Cuba project, an organization of Cuban agencies whose objectives are:

✓ Disseminate Cuba, its culture and its heritage.
✓ Promote sustainable tourism.
✓ Support the local economy, prioritizing direct contact with Cuban agencies.
✓ Offer budgets without commitment and without cost, from the hand of Cuban experts.

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