Cámara Santa, Oviedo, Spain

The Holy chamber of Oviedo (Cámara Santa de Oviedo) is a pre-Romanesque church built next to pre-romanesque Tower of San Miguel of the city's cathedral. Nowadays, the church occupies the angle between the south arm of the cathedral transept and a side of the cloister.

It was built during the 9th century as a palace chapel for King Alfonso II of Asturias and the church of San Salvador of Oviedo. Apart from acting as royal chapel, the Holy Chamber was built to house the jewels and relics of the cathedral of San Salvador in Oviedo, a function it continues to have 1200 years later. Some of these jewels were donated by the Kings Alfonso II and Alfonso III, and represent extraordinary gold artifacts of Asturian Pre-Romanesque, brought from Toledo after the fall of the Visigothic kingdom.

Consequently, the cathedral of Oviedo was also called Sancta Ovetensis; owing to quantity and quality of relics contained in the Cámara Santa. The Holy Chamber remains as the only sample of the early medieval complex. It was built as a relics' room to keep the different treasures associated with the Kingdom of Asturias (Cross of the Angels, Victory Cross, Agate box, Arca Santa and Sudarium of Oviedo), brought from Jerusalem to Africa, and after several translations was finally deposited at Oviedo by Alfonso II of Asturias.

It was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in December 1998.

References:

Wikipedia

User Reviews

Dionís Juárez Quero (8 months ago)
It is a pre-Romanesque chamber attached to the cathedral of Oviedo designed to keep the relics and where the two symbolic crosses of Asturias are also kept

Aida CA (8 months ago)
A very special site, with treasures of incalculable value, such as the Holy Shroud. Awesome.

Rosa MARIA RODRÍGUEZ MENENDEZ (12 months ago)
Gothic style cathedral located in the city of Oviedo (Principality of Asturias, Spain). It is also known as “Sancta Ovetensis”, referring to the quality and quantity of the relics it contains. The Cathedral of Oviedo has been a destination for pilgrims since ancient times. The Camino de Santiago began there in the times of the pious King Alfonso II the Chaste, hence the saying: "Whoever goes to Santiago and not to the Savior, visits the servant and not the Lord."

Víctor Piedras (2 years ago)
Spectacular, totally worth the visit. From the 9th century. It is located inside the cathedral. With adult admission 7 euros including audio guide, visit to the Holy Chamber (World Heritage) and the Museum of the church. Pilgrims 4 euros only. The Camino de Santiago began in this cathedral in the time of King Alfonso II the Chaste, hence the saying: "Who goes to Santiago and not to El Salvador, visit the servant and not the Lord" It is impressive, in the Holy Chamber, to see up close the Victoria Cross (manufactured in the already demolished Gauzón Castle located in Raíces-Castrillón-Principado de Asturias), the Los Angeles Cross, the Agates box, the Holy Ark , the thorns of the crown of Jesus and the Holy Shroud among other wonders. See the Museum of the Church with jewels such as the Eucharistic set made in gold and silver filigree sent from Mexico by an Indian in the 18th century and donated by the Asturian Parish of Santa María de Colombres (Ribadedeva). The "Hydra", one of the 6 jars of the "Wedding of Canaá" where Jesus Christ turned water into wine and which came to Oviedo in the 11th century from the Holy Land to safeguard the growing Islam. See the cloister, the Main Altarpiece and the imposing Chapter House. A marvel.

Carmen P (3 years ago)
Construction from the 9th century, in the Asturian Pre-Romanesque style, which is part of the Oviedo Cathedral. In it are the relics contributed during the reign of various Asturian kings: a piece of the Shroud, thorns from the crown of Jesus, soil from the house of the Virgin, the cross of the angels, that of Don Pelayo, etc. A curious visit that takes you back to the late Middle Ages. It's worth it (€6 with audioguide)

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Photo from Flickr, copyright Following Hadrian

Historic Site of the week

Walls of Constantinople

The Walls of Constantinople are a series of defensive stone walls that have surrounded and protected the city of Constantinople (today Istanbul) since its founding as the new capital of the Roman Empire by Constantine the Great. With numerous additions and modifications during their history, they were the last great fortification system of antiquity, and one of the most complex and elaborate systems ever built. They were also the largest and strongest fortification in both the ancient and medieval world.

Initially built by Constantine the Great, the walls surrounded the new city on all sides, protecting it against attack from both sea and land. As the city grew, the famous double line of the Theodosian Walls was built in the 5th century. Although the other sections of the walls were less elaborate, they were, when well-manned, almost impregnable for any medieval besieger.

Cámara Santa

Address

Details

More Information

Rating

Interesting Sites Nearby

User Reviews

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Finest Norman castles in Italy

Exploring the History of Northern Poland

Discovering Slovenia's Historic Wonders

Historic Site of the week

Walls of Constantinople