San Juan de Ortega facts for kids
The old San Juan de Ortega Monastery is a beautiful old building in Barrios de Colina, Spain. It's a great example of Romanesque architecture, which was popular a long time ago. This special place is in the province of Burgos.
A Place for Pilgrims
The monastery is located on the old French Way, also known as the Camino Francés. Many people believe that Saint John of Ortega built this monastery himself. He might have had help from his friend, Domingo de la Calzada. They built it around 1142. It was a helpful stop for pilgrims. These pilgrims were walking to Santiago de Compostela along the famous Way of Saint James.
At first, a group of monks called Augustinian canons lived and worked here. They helped the pilgrims.
Later, from 1432 until 1835, monks from the Order of Los Jerónimos took care of the monastery. They even had a well-known pharmacy! In the 1500s, the monastery's guesthouse had room for sixteen beds. It was a welcoming place for travelers.
Over time, fewer pilgrims came this way. The monastery was left empty in the 1800s. Local farmers even used the church as a barn for hay!
Since the 1980s, more and more people have started walking the Camino again. Because of this, the old monastery has been slowly fixed up. Part of the building is now an albergue, which is a special hostel for pilgrims. It has fifty beds. The monastery also has a café where pilgrims can rest and eat.
What the Monastery Looks Like
The church at San Juan de Ortega is a great example of late Romanesque art. It was built between the 1100s and 1200s. The oldest parts are the three rounded sections at the back, called apses. Saint John himself helped build these in the 1100s.
Later, in the 1400s, Isabella I of Castile helped add Gothic arches. These were designed by Juan de Colonia, who also worked on the Burgos Cathedral. Queen Isabella also paid for the Chapel of St Nicholas to be built.
Inside, look for the amazing stone carvings on the tops of the pillars. These are called capitals. You can also find the tomb of Saint John in the crypt, which is an underground room.
The Equinox Light Show
Every year, during the equinox in March and September, something special happens. 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 light hits a stone carving of the Annunciation of the Virgin Mary. This carving is at the top of a pillar. It's a beautiful sight to see!
See also
In Spanish: Monasterio de San Juan (San Juan de Ortega) para niños
