Church of San Juan Bautista

In the heart of Palenzuela's old town stands the Church of San Juan Bautista, a Catholic church that is part of the everyday landscape of this village in the province of Palencia. Anyone who comes to see it will, almost without realising, find themselves wandering the village's most historic streets, which is perhaps the best way to arrive at any church.

Palenzuela lies in the El Cerrato district, in the south-east of the province of Palencia, within Castile and León. It is a land made for slow travel, the kind of trip where you stop in every village and let the churches and streets set the pace of your visit.

The church, dedicated to St John the Baptist, remains a focal point of local life. It is worth taking your time, quietly observing its exterior and the way it sits among the surrounding houses, and, if it happens to be open, stepping inside with the respect due to a space that is still used for worship.

Ultimately, a visit here is a fine excuse to get to know Palenzuela and, from there, to carry on exploring El Cerrato. You don't need to seek out grand monuments to enjoy a break in inland Palencia: often all it takes is a church in an old town and the curiosity of an unhurried traveller.