During the week in Soria I managed short walks of perhaps forty minutes and during the time managed to see some of the sights in Soria, although not with any great degree of understanding. I will put it right next year, I hope.
The town
Soria is quite a small town, c.38,000 inhabitants, capital of the province of Soria and the second least populated provincial capital in Spain, and situated 1,000 metres (nearly 4,000 feet) above sea level. The development of the town began c.1,000 years ago under Alfonso I. Today it has an important architectural heritage in the form of mediaeval walls, Renaissance Palaces and Romanesque churches.
Track down from the Parador (L), looking eastwards from the Parador hill (top R), Hermitage of Miron (bottom R)
The Mediaeval Walls
Sancho IV built the walls of Soria in the early 13th century. However, during the War of Independence against the French the General Duran ordered the walls demolished in 1812. Today only a few sections remain and I/Jeremy caught glimpses of the walls as we walked around. It was not a very thorough investigation this time.
The wall was 4,100 metres (2.5 miles) with 6-8 gates into the city – sources vary!
Church of Santa Domingo
The Church of Santa Domingo dates from the late 12th century and was situated next to the walls of the city, at the Gate of El Rosario. Today it is attached to the Convent of the Poor Clares.
Renaissance Palaces
Calle Aduana Viejo is an old street with a number of old and significant palaces. The 16th century was a very prosperous time for Soria. Several of the nobility had large flocks of merino sheep and made their money from wool which was woven into cloth in other parts of Europe.
The Palace of Los Rios y Salcedo was commissioned in 1549 and has served various purposes over the centuries.
Further away the Palace of the Counts of Gomara is huge. This palace also belonged to the Rio Y Salcedo family and dates from the end of the 16th century. The family headed the nobility in Soria and was clearly both wealthy and powerful.
There are many other striking building in the town: Castejones family were very important in the 16th century and built there palace next to the walls of the city; the Palace of San Clemente dates from the 12th century: 17th century palace of the Marques de Alcantara, and the Tower of Dona Urraca.
Corners in the town
Just a few of the corners in this gentle town.
I really only enjoyed a very small taste of the sights in Soria but I liked the feel and atmosphere in the town and will be happy to return in 2023.
restlessjo
It’s a good looking town, isn’t it? And one I’d never heard of until your adventures there.
Candy Blackham
It is nice, old-fashioned Spanish, and we are returning in the autumn of this year
Candy Blackham
Soria is a lovely town and we plan to return this autumn. Hopefully I will be able to see more of the town this time! And some of the surrounding sights! Thank you for visiting.