The Church of Saint Nicholas in the village of Quintanilla, near Espinosa de los Monteros, was originally consecrated in the 12th century, although the present building dates largely from a 17th-century reconstruction. This modest rural church, with a single nave and simple masonry walls, reflects the traditional architecture of northern Castile. Behind its unassuming exterior, however, lies a remarkable artistic treasure.
Its most important feature is a 15th-century Gothic altarpiece attributed to Fray Alonso de Zamora, a monk from the Monastery of San Salvador de Oña. Composed of painted wooden panels influenced by Flemish art, it is notable not only for its artistic quality but also for a highly unusual iconographic detail: one of the very few known depictions in Spain of the Holy Spirit portrayed as a woman. The church also preserves a distinctive square baptismal font and several historic liturgical objects.
- Address
C. del Sol, 2, Espinosa de los Monteros, Burgos - Web
None - Visiting Hours
Unknown - What to see
15th-century Gothic altarpiece, Female representation of the Holy Spirit, Square baptismal font
