Soria Cathedral

Soria, Spain

Soria pro-Cathedral was built in the 12th century on the site of an old Augustine monastery, and was subsequently rebuilt in the 16th century in Renaissance style under the patronage of Bishop Acosta. The church has an open plan with three naves of equal heights, covered by vaults with star-shaped skylights. It has quite austere décor, both inside and out, except the south doorway, which is in Plateresque style, with a round arch with archivolts and a high frieze. It still conserves its 12th century Romanesque cloister.

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Details

Founded: 12th century
Category: Religious sites in Spain

More Information

www.spainisculture.com

Rating

4.3/5 (based on Google user reviews)

User Reviews

Dmitrii Bondarenko (2 years ago)
Beatiful church from 13th century
Turista Inglesa (3 years ago)
Its official name is “Concatedral”, this means a co-cathedral. What on earth is that? Built from the 12th century onwards, this large imposing building, massive even, was right from the start in competition with the cathedral in El Burgo de Osma, where the Bishop lived. For centuries it tried to become the seat of the bishopric, until finally in 1959 Pope John XXIII issued the Papal Bull 'Quandoquidem Animorum', named the diocese the Diocese of Osma-Soria, and finally made the Collegiate Church of Saint Peter a Cathedral. Well, a co-cathedral, since it shares the title with the Cathedral (N.B. it is not a co-cathedral but a full cathedral!) of El Burgo de Osma. And I say “finally” since the first request for this honour was made by King Alfonso VIII to Pope Clemente IV in the 13th century. Long wait. Unusually for a cathedral, it is not in the actual town centre. In fact the nearest buildings are modern blocks of flats, so in centuries past it must have been in open countryside. It is, however, only about a 10-minute stroll from the Plaza Mayor; Soria is a small town and everywhere is very walkable. It is on a main road, just up from the medieval bridge over the River Duero, so doubtless its position was selected, nine centuries ago, to be on a major route for pilgrims. The basic style is what we in UK call “Norman architecture”, because it was brought over by William and his friends after the 1066 conquest. Massive, thick columns, no soaring gothic interior here, and the windows are small inside. It must have been a gloomy experience for the first seven or eight centuries, until electricity was installed. In the early sixteenth century, someone had the clever idea of knocking down one of these massive pillars, to open up a view of one of the statues of the Virgen. Well, those thick columns were there for a purpose: to hold up the roof and tower, which collapsed. Rebuilding of one tower and part of the interior was carried out in the then contemporary gothic style, giving an unusual mix of styles in one cathedral. The oldest part, and the most attractive, is the Cloister. This is accessed normally from the inside of the cathedral, on payment of €2. Well worth the charge.
devegendehollander hergen (5 years ago)
A place to find relaxation and cool air in summer when the town is full of people. A great place to go alone or meet and whisper
Anonymous (5 years ago)
Ok
Julia Araque (5 years ago)
I love
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