The church of San Fructuoso de Bailo, formerly known as San Pedro de la Sede Real, stands as an important Catholic temple in the San Juan de la Peña Cultural Park. Its history is intrinsically linked to the origins of the Kingdom and County of Aragon, being one of the three itinerant seats of the Aragonese court before Jaca was designated as the capital by Ramiro I in the 11th century.
The present church was built between the 15th and 16th centuries in late Gothic style with Renaissance influences. Its historical importance is reflected in its role as a crossing point on the Way of the Holy Grail, adding a spiritual and cultural component to its legacy. Quite possibly, the Holy Grail was guarded in this place, before being transferred to the monastery of San Juan de la Peña.
From the architectural point of view, the church of San Fructuoso de Bailo exhibits an imposing structure of ashlar masonry, with a Latin cross plan and a large presbytery crowned by a Renaissance altarpiece dedicated to San Fructuoso. Its Gothic doorway, protected by a spacious portico, has pointed archivolts and ornamental vegetal details, while the interior features ribbed vaults with star-shaped designs. In addition, the presence of a free-standing capital used as a holy water font adds a touch of history and continuity with the site’s Romanesque past. The bell tower, considered a vestige of the ancient royal castle, adds a defensive dimension to the structure, reinforcing its relevance as both a historical and architectural landmark in the region.
- Address
La Iglesia St, 3, Bailo, Huesca (Spain) - Web
https://www.bailo.es/bailo/-/asset_publisher/P4R5BGeLw0qh/content/id/7232706 - Visiting Hours
Unknown - What to see
Gothic church
