Spain, Palencia, Castile and Leon: San Pedro Cultural Center
In Spain, some churches have been transformed into extraordinary spaces. Let’s travel to Becerril de Campos in Palencia, where the ruins of the old church of San Pedro are reborn as a modern observatory.
Four architects from Palencia restored the original temple, which dates back to the 12th century but had been in complete disrepair for more than 40 years.
San Pedro Cultural now offers guided tours explaining the various artistic and astronomical elements inside the temple, including a Foucault pendulum. Events such as weddings, conferences, award ceremonies and concerts can also be held there.
Canada, Quebec: Quebec Circus School
Quebec’s Saint-Spirit church, built in 1930, is nothing more than mats, hoops, ropes, trampolines and trapezes with people performing impossible aerial tricks such as pirouettes.
The Quebec Circus School has served as a temple for training, instruction and the creation of circus shows since 2002. The larger rooms are gymnasiums, while the smaller ones house the high numbers.
Spain, Bilbao, Euskadi: Bilborock Concert Hall
The historic church of La Merced is located in Bilbao’s Casco Viejo. It was acquired by the city council and renovated into a performance space that opened in 1997. The original church was built in the 17th century and a century later it was renovated.
After the decision to restore it for the public, some oddities were found inside, such as a bathtub or a van. Today, it serves as a concert hall, conference center and movie theater. For 30 years, a competition for young European musical ensembles has been held at Bilborock.
London, United Kingdom – Redbridge: Virgin Active Repton Park Fitness Center
From a place of worship to a place of exercise. In an elegant residential area, this former church is now a gym affiliated with Virgin Active. It was formerly part of Claybury Hospital, a psychiatric facility founded in 1893.
In the last 20 years, it has focused on healing the body rather than the mind (is that the same thing?). The Victorian-style confessional has been transformed into a sauna and the central nave has become a 24-meter-long swimming pool.
The small chapel that houses the engine room retains its original ceilings. A pleasure that may not be fully appreciated while perspiring.
Netherlands, Haarlem: Jopenkerk Brewery
Let’s choose the last option from the extensive list we offer you. This time, the Dutch city of Haarlem is the home of our special church. There, drinking beer is a form of worship, so this former temple is a marvel of a brewery.
It offers guided tours so visitors can see the entire brewing process and then they can relax with a drink or a meal at the Jopenkerk.
With information from Traveler’s Diary
