The Church of San Lorenzo was built on a primitive Muslim mosque after the Christian conquest of the town in the 13th century. The church, which rests directly on the city wall, has undergone progressive renovations. One of the most outstanding took place at the beginning of the 17th century, when the current belfry was built.

The 19th century marked the beginning of the end of the splendour of San Lorenzo. The population shortage of the neighbourhood led to the disappearance of the congregation in 1842. Although the church remained open for Sunday mass, the progressive reduction in income and the looting of much of its assets, which were transferred to other churches, doomed it to abandonment and deterioration. This deterioration was compounded during the civil war, when San Lorenzo suffered significant damage that led to its final closure.

Since then the building has functioned as a shelter for refugees, a warehouse for utensils from the town’s Cofradias (religious fraternities), and as an art workshop. After years of abandonment, the church is being rehabilitated by the Huerta de San Lorenzo Foundation and cultural activities are already being carried out there.

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