Hello and welcome to the exterior of the parish church of Xerta.
The first Christian temple of the town was founded in 1325 when the Xerta parish emancipated from the Castle of Paüls suzerainty. The current building, however, began to be built in 1580 as an extension of the primitive church, and it was completed in 1690 according to the inscriptions on the side façade that leads to carrer Santa Anna.
The temple was consecrated in the year 1628 by Xerta native Joan Sentís, bishop of Barcelona and Viceroy of Catalonia. The main façade facing Plaça Major was rebuilt in 1858 and contains classical Renaissance elements, featuring two symmetrical niches holding the statues of Saint Peter and Saint Paul, plus a statue of the Sacred Heart on the top.
As for the bell tower, the original one dated back to the 16th century, but it was rebuilt in 1910 thanks to the contribution of absent Xerta-born Fernando Martí. If we look up, we will see four stone dogs on top watching over the four cardinal points. It is said that they are the guardians of the town, and their names are Lucero, Marino, Turco and Leal.
The bell tower culminates with a modernist style wrought-iron lightning conductor on the very top.
And now, if we look back down at the side of the front door, you will see the limnimeter. Come close and listen to the next track.