Puntos de Interés
Culture
San Juan de Duero
The most visited tourist monument in the city is located on the left bank of the Duero River, just before the medieval bridge that allowed the passage and entrance to the city of Soria: San Juan de Duero. The monastery was originally constructed in the 12th century by the military Order of the Hospitallers of Saint John of Jerusalem. The order continued to reside within the monastery until the 18th century, when it was finally dissolved. The church and cloister are the only remaining structures. They have been desacralised (i.e. no longer sacred) and are now state-owned. The museum houses a section dedicated to the Numantine Museum, which exhibits pieces from the Hebrew, Islamic and Christian cultures of the medieval period found in the province.
This architectural landmark is of such significance that, in 2008, the Roman Studies Centre of the Santa María la Real Foundation organised the "Wonders of the Spanish Romanesque" competition. San Juan de Duero was selected as one of the top four buildings in this artistic style, ranking above the Collegiate Church of San Isidoro in León, the Cathedral of Santiago and the Old Cathedral of Salamanca. The designation as an Asset of Cultural Interest, which has been in place since 1882, is a testament to the significance of this site as part of Spain's historical heritage.
The San Juan de Duero church is uncomplicated in its design. The church's distinctive design features a single nave, presbytery and apse. Its two temples on either side of the presbytery (the area before the altar) serve a similar purpose to those found in the Greek rite, concealing the priest during the consecration. The temples are structures crowned by a dome, one spherical and the other conical, supported by capitals decorated with figurative reliefs depicting Gospel and allegorical passages, such as the beheading of St John the Baptist or the Slaughter of the Innocents. The cloister, constructed in the 13th century, is one of the most remarkable cloister spaces in Spain and Western Europe. However, only a portion of it has survived. The building's four corners are distinctive. The northwest corner is typically Romanesque, while the northeast corner displays Arab influences. The southeast corner features square section fluted columns, and the southwest corner showcases columns with double circular shafts. The variety of architectural styles and the oriental influence contribute to the significance and distinctive character of this cloister.
San Juan de Duero has long been a source of inspiration for artists, with the Sevillian Gustavo Adolfo Bécquer being a notable example. Bécquer wrote the legend of the "Monte de las Ánimas" based on the Knights Templar. This short story, published in 1861 as part of the "Soria" collection, details the conflict between the Templars of San Juan de Duero and the noblemen of Soria, as seen through the eyes of Alonso, one of the story's main characters. Following a violent confrontation between the two parties on the nearby hill, the deceased have taken control of the area, emerging from their graves on All Souls' Eve each year. This is only the preamble to the story. The ending is not to be revealed, and the reading of the story is quite light and recommended. It is worth noting that a Templar cemetery has been constructed near the monastery, as a tribute to the renowned poet's legacy.
The monastery of San Juan de Duero, situated at the foot of Monte de las Ánimas, is open to the public every day of the week, except Mondays, public holidays and the eve of public holidays. Opening times vary between the winter and summer months, as well as at weekends, when admission is free.