Church of Santiago, Puente la Reina

Church of Santiago in Puente la Reina is a stone building whose walls date from the 12th century but were later modified with late Gothic features from the 16th century. The structure includes a nave, side aisles, and a transept, topped by an octagonal bell tower with a baroque dome.

This church was built in the mid-12th century and represents an important Romanesque monument. It underwent major renovation between 1543 and 1566 with new additions, and the octagonal tower was added between 1776 and 1778.

The main altarpiece from 1665 displays three stacked levels with Saint James in the center, shown in pilgrim clothing. This image speaks to the many travelers passing through on their journey to Santiago de Compostela.

The building is located in the old town along Calle Mayor, which is part of the pilgrim route and easily reached from several directions. Visitors should wear comfortable shoes and be aware that interior lighting is typically dim when entering the space.

The octagonal tower was completed fairly late between 1776 and 1778 and showcases refined late Baroque architecture with Ionic pilasters. This stylistic feature stands out distinctly from the older Romanesque and Gothic portions of the building.