Church of San Bartolomé (Jerez de los Caballeros)

The first thing that strikes you about the Church of San Bartolomé is the colour. This church in Jerez de los Caballeros has earned its reputation for abundant, richly nuanced decoration – the kind that makes you stop and take a good, unhurried look. Anyone visiting would do well to set aside time to take in the details, because it is precisely this ornamental richness that gives the building its character.

It is a Catholic parish church built in the Baroque style, an artistic language perfectly in keeping with what visitors find inside: a love of ornament, of visual effect and of exuberance. At San Bartolomé this Baroque spirit is expressed without restraint, and the result is a building that stands out among the town's heritage.

Its worth has not gone unnoticed. In 2013 it was declared a Bien de Interés Cultural, the highest level of heritage protection in Spain, a recognition that underlines both its artistic merit and its historical importance. It is, therefore, a must-see for anyone wishing to understand the monumental legacy of this corner of the province of Badajoz.

Jerez de los Caballeros, in Extremadura, is a town that invites you to stroll at a leisurely pace, and the Church of San Bartolomé is one of its most rewarding stops. Whether travellers come drawn by Baroque art or are simply keen to discover the town's most distinctive corners, this church, with its profuse decoration and vivid colour, offers a memorable experience that deserves a place on any itinerary through the area.