Church of San Millán in Segovia

Another monument worth seeing in Segovia is the Iglesia de San Millán, or the Church of St. Millán. It is a Romanesque-style temple, built in the 12th century, located on the Aqueduct Avenue, in the San Millán district. This district was inhabited by Mozarabic craftsmen, that is, Christians who maintained their faith and culture under Muslim rule. This church belonged to the Knights Order of St. John of Jerusalem, which defended pilgrims traveling to the Holy Land.




The Church of St. Millán has three naves and four apses, one of which is a later addition and serves as a sacristy. Outside the church, you can admire its impressive tower, which is the oldest part of the building and dates back to the 11th century. The tower is in the Mudejar, or Arabic, style and has a defensive character. It is adorned with brick friezes and arcades, and at its top, there is a metal cross with a rooster, which is a symbol of faith and vigilance.




The interior of the church is modest and simple, but not devoid of charm and artistic value. It is worth paying attention to the main altar, which is the work of an anonymous painter from the 15th century, known as the Master of 11,000 Virgins. It is a polyptych, or multi-part painting, which depicts scenes from the life of St. Ursula and her companions, who were murdered by the Huns for refusing to marry their leader. This painting is considered one of the most valuable examples of Gothic painting in Spain. The church also has a beautiful baptismal font from the 12th century, which is adorned with reliefs with plant and animal motifs.

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