San Juan de Ortega facts for kids
The old San Juan de Ortega monastery is a very old building in Barrios de Colina, Spain. It was built in the Romanesque style, which was popular a long time ago. This special place is in the province of Burgos.
History of the Monastery
This monastery is found on the old Camiño Francés. Many people believe that Saint John of Ortega built it himself. He likely had help from his friend, Domingo de la Calzada. They built it around the year 1142.
The monastery was a helpful stop for pilgrims. These travelers walked to Santiago de Compostela on the Way of Saint James. At first, a group of Augustinian canons lived and worked there.
The monastery later belonged to the Order of Los Jerónimos. They owned it from 1432 until 1835. During their time, the monks created a famous pharmacy. It was well-known all around the area. In the 1500s, the building had sixteen beds for guests.
Over time, fewer pilgrims visited the area. The monastery was left empty in the 1800s. Local farmers even used the church to store hay.
The small village around the monastery has few people living there. Since the 1980s, more pilgrims have returned to the Camino. Because of this, the old monastery has slowly been fixed up. Part of the building is now an albergue. This is a special hostel with fifty beds for pilgrims. The monastery also has a café where travelers can rest and eat.
Building Style and Art
The church is a great example of late Romanesque art. It was built between the 1100s and 1200s. The oldest parts are the three round sections called apses. These were built in the 1100s by or for Saint John.
Isabella I of Castile later added new parts to the church. In the 1400s, she asked Juan de Colonia to add Gothic arches. He was a famous architect who worked on Burgos Cathedral. Isabella also paid for the Chapel of St Nicholas to be built.
Inside the church, look for the special stone carvings. These are called capitals and they are found on top of pillars. The tomb of Saint John is also in the crypt, which is an underground room.
Light Phenomenon
Every year, something amazing happens at the church. It happens during the equinox in March and September. The equinox is when day and night are almost equal in length.
At 5 pm (solar time), a beam of light shines through a small window. This window is on the main front wall of the church. The light perfectly shines on a stone carving. It lights up the Annunciation of the Virgin Mary. This carving is at the top of a pillar.
