Iglesia de San Eutropio
Undoubtedly, San Eutropio Church is the important building in Villa de Paradas. A church used to be built on this spot, the first stone of which was laid by the founder of Paradas, Don Juan Ponce de León in the mid-15th century.
Documentary evidence shows that this church was built at the end of the 18th century and that - after seven years of work directed by diocesan architects José Álvarez, Fernando Rosales and Antonio Matías de Figueroa - it was dedicated to San Eutropio, Bishop of Saintes (France) and Patron Saint of Paradas, on 3 March 1791.
It is a beautiful example of late Sevillian Baroque style with a clear transition to Neoclassicism. The main doorway was carved in white stone, in Morón de la Frontera by this town's stonemason, Juan Muñoz. Inside there is a beautiful church of five naves with a Latin cross floor plan, containing interesting Baroque and Neoclassical altarpieces. Some of them were works of the brothers José Victorino, Francisco, Vicente and Bruno Casau de Paz, illustrious members of a family of cutters from Paradas.
In the church, the gospel nave is used to access the sacramental chapel, a sacristy in which a small museum was organised in 1968, which includes a collection of sacred glasses and other religious artefacts, ornaments, insignias of the old brotherhoods, a valuable 17th century enamel piece and three paintings, highlighting the canvas depicting penitent Saint Mary Magdalene, by El Greco.
Winter time: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 7:00 p.m. Sundays at 9:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Summer schedule: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 8:00 p.m. Sundays at 9:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.