Monastery of San Juan de Duero

A late 12th to 13th-century monastic complex in the city of Soria, Castile and León, Spain, noted for its distinctive Romanesque cloister adjacent to the Duero river.

The principal attraction is the cloister, composed of a sequence of decorative arches and sculpted capitals in differing styles that illustrate regional Romanesque work. Visitors also see the remains of the monastic church and walk the small parked area beside the river.

Founded by the Order of Saint John (Hospitallers) in the late 12th to 13th century, the complex served monastic and religious functions through the medieval period and later fell into partial ruin before conservation and presentation as a historic monument.

Located within Soria’s historic centre beside the Duero river and close to the city’s medieval walls and cathedral, the monastery is an easy walk from the main urban streets.

• Cloister detail: The cloister displays a mix of Romanesque and Mozarabic-influenced sculptural detail; close daylight is best for seeing carved capitals and archwork.

What to See #

• Cloister: A Romanesque cloister with a sequence of decorated arches and capitals that is the most visited element of the complex.
• Church and conventual remains: The monastic church and adjacent monastic structures, several of which survive as architectural remains connected to the cloister.