Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de la Anunciación (Alcudia de Guadix)
Construction of the church began in 1545, when Francisco Heredia demolished the old mosque. Francisco Roldán was entrusted with the work on the new church and was assisted by Ambrosio de Bonilla and Baltasar de la Hoya in opening the trenches and laying the foundations. However, Master Roldán had considerable difficulty obtaining payment for his work because the triumphal arch and the church itself were found to be defective according to the master appraisers' estimates. Once the structure was completed between 1560 and 1562, Pedro de Riaño, a stonemason, built the main portal following plans and specifications provided by Juan de Arredondo, the master builder of Guadix Cathedral at the time. The portal cost almost 274 ducats to build. Meanwhile, Baltasar de la Hoya built another portal, probably made of brick, for which he was paid in 1560. It is possible that Roldán was withdrawn from the contract due to his defective work.
The church initially consisted of a single nave, an attached baptismal chapel and a main chapel. Various elements and outbuildings were added at different times, including the graceful bell tower, the two side aisles, the wide-vaulted sacristy, and various chapels. According to the specifications for the Lanteira church, the original tower was topped with a terrace and battlements. In the nineteenth century, the church suffered two fires, after which the framework was rebuilt with a more functional design. Between 1983 and 1985, the entire church was restored.
Today, it has a regularised structure comprising three naves separated by pillars, as well as an independent main chapel with an octagonal floor plan and plaster ceiling. There is also a small niche for the image of the crucified Christ. The condition of the 16^(th)-century framework, which appears to have had pendentives, suggests that the original main chapel was not octagonal. The ceilings are wooden, but are simply planks that evoke ancient roofs. The most notable aspect of the ancient Mudéjar architecture is the beautiful framework covering the baptismal chapel. This small, almost unnoticed chapel is enclosed by a fine turned wooden grille and houses an exquisite octagonal framework filled with Mudejar latticework and two eight-ringed wheels in the almizate. Both the pendentives and the mouldings on which they rest have been reworked in a modern style. The exterior of the church is attractive. Its seclusion allows us to appreciate the staggered roofs and eaves covering the different rooms, which speak of the many alterations that have taken place over time. The tower has traces of painted brickwork at its base. Of particular interest is the main doorway, which is one of the most elegant in the region and dates from the High Renaissance. Originally located on the right side, facing the Epistle and overlooking the cemetery, this doorway was moved to the end wall in 1820, possibly replacing the brickwork carved by Baltasar de la Hoya. The church is located in Plaza de la Constitución.