There are places where you go to get married. And there are places where, on top of that, you feel as though you’re stepping into a much bigger story.
The Church of the Third Order in La Seca is one of those special places: a small church born of the determination of some Franciscans, which fell into ruin and has now been reborn as an architectural gem, a wedding venue and a symbol of the restoration of rural heritage, thanks to Javier Sanz Viticultor.
In this article, we tell you its story, from having no place in the village church… to becoming one of the most unique venues for celebrating and toasting with wine in Castile and León.
When the Franciscans were ‘not given a place’ in the village church
To understand the Church of the Third Order, you have to start at the beginning.
Tradition has it that, when the Franciscans of the Third Order wanted their own space in the village church, they were not granted a place of their own within the main church. Far from resigning themselves to this, they took a decision that would shape the history of La Seca:
If there is no room for us in the village church, we will build our own church.
Thus was born the Church of the Third Order: a simple, intimate church, built by and for that Franciscan community, which wanted a place of contemplation, prayer and a life of its own within the village.
For decades it was a living space, linked to the religious and social life of the village.
From silent splendour to ruin: when time takes its toll on the roof
As happened with so many historic buildings in rural Spain, the passage of time, depopulation, changing customs and disuse took their toll on the Church of the Third Order.
- It was used less and less.
- Maintenance that had previously been carried out as a matter of course ceased.
- The structure began to weaken.
Until the critical point was reached: the church collapsed.
A collapsed roof, battered walls, damp, rubble… The church that was once the pride of the Third Order became a ruin. For many, a building doomed to disappear. For others, a simple safety hazard.
For someone who views the land as something worthy of care, it was something else: a piece of historical and emotional heritage of La Seca that must not be lost.
The meeting with Javier Sanz Viticultor: seeing a ruin… and seeing a future
At the same time, Javier Sanz Viticultor was undergoing his own transformation: a fifth-generation family winery, focused on quality, its own vineyard, revived grape varieties and an increasingly solid wine tourism project in La Seca.
The idea began to take shape:
- What if that collapsed church could be reborn?
- What if, instead of letting it disappear, it were restored as a venue for events, weddings, tastings and culture?
- What if the town’s religious and historical heritage were integrated with the world of wine and wine tourism?
It wasn’t just about restoring a building, but about restoring a role for the town, generating activity, attracting people, creating memories.
Rebuilding it almost from scratch: new roof, new walls, same soul
The restoration of the Church of the Third Order was not a facelift: it was a thorough reconstruction.
- The structure was completely rebuilt, respecting the proportions and spirit of the original building.
- New walls and a new roof were erected, resolving stability and safety issues.
- The work was carried out in accordance with heritage conservation principles, saving and making use of everything that could be preserved, and integrating new elements where necessary.
The aim was not to create “a pretty building”, but to restore its dignity as a church:
- To respect the original architectural style.
- To maintain that sense of a sober, light-filled and welcoming sanctuary.
- Discreetly introducing lighting, sound, air conditioning and all the amenities needed to host modern events, without spoiling the charm of the space.
The result is a place that feels both old and new:
- You can sense the history within those walls.
- You can see that everything has been rebuilt with care and attention.
- You feel that this is not just another event venue, but a building with a soul.
A driving force for revitalisation in La Seca
The restoration of the church does not merely add a spectacular space to the winery.
It also acts as a catalyst for La Seca:
- It puts the village on the map as a destination for wine tourism and celebrations.
- It attracts couples, companies and visitors who would not have come had such a place not existed.
- It generates economic activity: accommodation, catering, local suppliers, music, photography and decoration services…
What was once a ruin on the verge of disappearing has become:
- A visual icon of the village and the winery.
- An example of how wine and heritage can go hand in hand.
- A source of pride for locals who see the church alive again, illuminated and full of people.
Weddings at the Church of the Third Order: getting married in a place steeped in history
If there is one thing that makes the Church of the Third Order particularly special today, it is its use as a venue for weddings and celebrations.
It is not just about having “a pretty place to get married”, but about everything that goes with it:
- A building with the scale of a church, high ceilings, carefully curated lighting and a commanding presence.
- A setting of winery and vineyards that allows the ceremony, toast, banquet and party to be combined into a single concept.
- The possibility of creating weddings with an aesthetic halfway between the historic and the contemporary, where stone, wood and wine take centre stage.
Imagine the journey:
- Arrival at La Seca, in the heart of the Rueda region.
- Ceremony at the Church of the Third Order, surrounded by family and friends.
- Photo shoot amongst vineyards, gardens and a chequered floor.
- Aperitif, lunch or dinner paired with wines from Javier Sanz Viticultor.
- Closing party with the peace of mind that everything takes place within the same setting.
For those seeking a wedding with its own identity, linked to the land, wine and a restored heritage, it is hard to find a more fitting setting.
Much more than weddings: a temple to wine, music and culture
The church is not only open for weddings. Its restoration has turned it into a versatile venue, ideal for:
- Guided tastings and special wine tourism experiences.
- Concerts and recitals, where the church’s acoustics and the proximity of the audience create an atmosphere very different from that of a conventional auditorium.
- Product launches, corporate meetings, professional gatherings seeking to move away from the typical hotel ballroom.
- Cultural and social events that bring the village to life all year round.
Every event held there is not just a date in the diary: it is a way of giving purpose and meaning to a heritage restoration that would otherwise remain nothing more than a pretty picture.
Restoring heritage, just as varieties are restored
The history of the Church of the Third Order fits perfectly with the philosophy of Javier Sanz Viticultor:
- In the vineyard, the winery has spent years restoring almost extinct native varieties, such as Malcorta or Cenicienta, and preserving pre-phylloxera vines of Verdejo at Finca Saltamontes.
- In the region, the restoration of the church is another way of preserving what makes La Seca unique: its history, its architecture, its identity.
Ultimately, the approach is the same:
When something has value—a grape, a vineyard, a church—the answer is not to let it disappear, but to care for it, bring it up to date and put it at the service of the present without breaking with its past.
Frequently asked questions about the Church of the Third Order
Where is the Church of the Third Order? In La Seca (Valladolid), very close to the Javier Sanz Viticultor winery and surrounded by the vineyard landscape of the Rueda Designation of Origin.
Can weddings be held in the church? Yes, the church is equipped to host weddings and ceremonies (as well as other types of events). The winery team coordinates the details to ensure the experience is consistent with the rest of the celebration.
What kind of events can be organised? Weddings, unique wine tastings, intimate concerts, product launches, corporate events, special paired dining experiences… It is a versatile space, designed to accommodate experiences with an extra touch of history and aesthetic care.
Does it have capacity for large groups? It is a medium-sized space, ideal for events of no more than 200 people where an intimate atmosphere and careful attention to detail are sought. The exact number of guests depends on the type of event (ceremony, banquet, concert, etc.).
Can the church be combined with a visit to the winery? That is, in fact, one of the project’s great strengths: combining the Church of the Third Order with the winery and the vineyards, creating comprehensive experiences that range from heritage to wine and from wine to heritage.
How can you book the church for an event or wedding? By emailing eventos@bodegajaviersanz.com, who will inform you of availability, celebration options and possibilities for combining the church with spaces in the winery and wine tourism packages.
A very simple conclusion: that the church may once again be filled with life
The story of the Church of the Third Order is, ultimately, the story of something that could have fallen into complete ruin… yet chose to rise again.
- From a Franciscan church that found no place within the village church, but built its own space.
- From an almost lost ruin to a restored gem that today hosts weddings, tastings, concerts and celebrations.
- From an empty building to a space that revitalises La Seca, attracts visitors and has become one of the winery’s symbols.
If you like places with history, soul and wine, the Church of the Third Order is not just a pretty setting; it is proof that reclaiming the past can be the best way to toast the future.
