Culture

St. Martin of Scotus Church

Northwest of Llames de Parres near the village of Soto de Dueñas lies the St. Martin of Scotus Church.

Built in the green pastures surrounding the town, the church keeps a watchful eye on the livestock grazing around it. It was built in the 16th century and was linked to the St. Martin of Soto de Dueñas Monastery, which was previously inhabited by Benedictine nuns. After the monastery was destroyed, the materials it was made of were transported and reused to build the church.

This Romanesque style church is supported by a single nave in the shape of a Latin cross and crowned by a transept vault. The exterior has gable roofs, two abutments on the east side that give stability to the masonry structure and three small arrow slits at the top that let light inside. The church is accessed through two decorated doors with semicircular arches from the 15th century. The oratory or the St. Lucia Chapel is the oldest part of the church and is linked to the pre-Romanesque period. It contains some magnificent 16th century Renaissance style illustrations. The decorations on the bases of the ribs and on the 12th century capitals with human, animal, and plant motifs are also striking.

St. Martin of Scotus Church has been a Site of Cultural Interest and an Historical and Artistic Monument since 1985. .