There are some very beautiful churches in Soria and although we visited in the past we always like to return.
Church of Santo Domingo
The Church of Santo Domingo, originally on the Medieaval walls, dates from the 12th century. It was built over an earlier church, dedicated to San Tomé, and it stood at the San Rosario gate into the town.
This was originally a Dominican Church and Monastery, but it was abandoned after the seizure of church property by Mendizabal in 1835. In 1853 a community of Poor Clares arrived and eventually the monastery was declared a convent.
If you are ever in Soria consider visiting the church at 7.00pm in the evening for evensong, which is sung in plainchant by the nuns. It is quite wonderful. You don’t have to be conventionally religious to be calmed by the slow pace of the music, the low light, the quiet around you. It feels like a gift, and this kind of unexpected pleasure is one of the joys of travelling. But, you have to put in the effort to find these things and I wonder if the groups of guided tours ever experience them.
El Carmen, one of the Churches in Soria
The complex of buildings making up the Church of El Carmen consists of the 17th century church, the 16th century convent, and the 17th monks monastery.
The Barefoot Carmelites were established here in Soria in 1581 by St Theresa of Avila. Dona Beatriz of Beaumont donated her palace for the convent.
We had a short time before a service and just sat quietly, taking in the strongly spiritual atmosphere. Even now, days later, I can recreate the feeling when I look at the photographs., and I can return in memory.
Convent of Santa Clara
A Convent was founded here at the beginning of the 13th century, but it ceased to be a religious establishment under Mendizibal in the 1830s. He seems to have been just as destructive as Henry VIII and Thomas Cromwell in England, with the Dissolution of the Monasteries. The building has recently been converted to a Cultural Centre.
It was a pleasure to spend time in these churches in Soria.