Iglesia de San Juan el Real (Basilica of Saint John the Royal), Oviedo

Basilica of Saint John the Royal is a majestic early 20th-century landmark often called the “Cathedral of the Ensanche.” Built between 1912 and 1915 and designed by the renowned architect Luis Bellido, this richly detailed historicist structure blends neoromanesque and neo‑Byzantine styles in vivid pink and white stone, topped with red‑tiled domes and crowned by two ornate bell towers.

Inside, the basilica is laid out in a Latin cross plan, with a single broad nave, side chapels, and a spectacular dome supported on pendentives. The stained-glass windows, designed in a Gothic style by the Maumejean studio, bring subtle color to the interior. The gilded main altar and decorative elements, including murals, confessionals, and religious symbols by local artist Félix Granda, highlight the careful craftsmanship found throughout the church.

The basilica is steeped in local history. It stands on the site of Oviedo’s original San Juan church founded in 862 by King Alfonso III, and was rebuilt after the destruction of the previous structure in 1882. In a notable moment, Francisco Franco, the future Spanish dictator, married Carmen Polo, a member of a prominent Oviedo family, in this very church in 1923, with King Alfonso XIII as godfather.

In November 2014, the church was elevated to the status of Minor Basilica by the Pope, recognizing both its architectural grandeur and spiritual significance.