Church of Santa María de la Peña, Brihuega

Church of Santa María de la Peña is a Romanesque building in Brihuega with three naves, each divided into three sections. The structure includes a polygonal apse and a rectangular presbytery reinforced by stepped buttresses positioned at each corner.

Archbishop Rodrigo Jiménez de Rada commissioned construction of this church in the early 13th century as one of five Christian temples in Brihuega. The building emerged during a period when the region was establishing stronger Christian presence and authority.

The church carries the name Santa María de la Peña, reflecting its role as a spiritual center in medieval Brihuega. Visitors can see how the building was designed to accommodate large numbers of worshippers within its spacious interior layout.

The building is typically accessible on weekends, particularly during worship services in the morning and midday hours. Check ahead to confirm visiting times, as the church remains an active place of worship with regular services.

The entrance portal displays four pointed arches and a sunken tympanum with two symmetrical pointed arches containing three circular openings, including a quatrefoil rosette. This ornate detailing for an entrance is surprisingly elaborate and reflects the importance attached to this particular building.