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San Bartolomé hermitage
One of the most iconic buildings in Villanueva del Jiloca is, without a doubt, San Bartolomé hermitage. This 15th century building is on a small hill above the village’s farmhouse.
The traditional church was built with masonry and pointed brick arches. It has a wooden gabled roof with a large roof overhang, which is believed to be the result of a later restoration of the original building. Although it is believed that it may have had as many as five sections, today only three remain, which run for a total length of 11.70 m and width of 6.50 m on the exterior; these measurements are lower inside the hermitage.
One of the curiosities of San Bartolomé hermitage is that it preserves a peculiar handwritten inscription in pencil. it was written on the pillar in the first bay, right beside the epistle, on the side facing the altar, which explains when the narthex was removed. The message reads: “In 1929 this hermitage was composed and painted when parish priest was Andrés Sanz Galindo; a nave was removed by the bricklayer Gerardo García".
Undoubtedly, the greatest gem in this little hermitage was the Tablet of San Bartolomé. A Gothic-style painting, although it is believed it was made in the early 16th century. Measuring 1.70 m by 0.80 m, the image depicts San Bartolome’s description of the Golden Legend. In it, the saint appears as a slender figure cut out on a red wooden background. He is depicted with abundant black curly hair and a dark beard, covered by a blue tunic and a large brocade cloak with a maroon lining. In his left hand he is holding an open book, while on the right he is holding a kind of cane with a blade. At his feet is the strap with which he holds the demon. This image is currently kept in the Villanueva de Jiloca Parish Museum, in the church of San Gil Abad, although when the chapel was being restored it was placed in the apse wall, with a photograph of the original panel serving as a reredos.