Spanish Churches and Monasteries Tour

Religion has been a part of Spanish history that has left numerous examples of consecrated buildings to different types of religion. Architectonic styles vary from building to building, each with its own special charm. The itineraries cover such places as Zaragoza, La Rioja, Madrid and Segovia.

Day ONE ZARAGOZA

Arrival in the splendid city of Zaragoza with it´s magnificent Basilica of El Pilar and Palacio de la Aljaferia built in the 11th century by the muslim monarchs of Zaragoza. Accommodation in Zaragoza for 2 nights.

Day TWO ZARAGOZA

Today a day trip driving south to Nevalos to visit the Monasterio de Piedra (Stone Monastery), which stands in a nature reserve full of grottos and waterfalls. The monastery was built in 1195, and although it was rebuilt in the 19th century some of the original buildings still survive. Return to Zaragoza and overnight.

Day THREE RIOJA

Next drive northwest to visit the Monastery of Leyre, in Navarra. The monastery dates back to the 11th century and tours are given by resident monks every morning and afternoon.

Continue to La Rioja to San Millan de la Cogolla to visit the Monasteries of Suso and Yuso. Suso was built in the 10th century, and the church has Romanesque and Mozarabic features. Yuso, built between 16th and 18th century, is partly Renaissance with Baroque features. It was here that the first words in Spanish were written, contained in a manuscript from the 10th Century still preserved. Overnight in Rioja.

Day FOUR BURGOS

Proceed westwards to Covarubias, south of Burgos, and visit Santo Domingo de Silos, with its monastery and neoclassical church. St Dominic gave his name to the monastery after rebuilding it in 1042 over a Visighotic abbey, which the Moors had destroyed. The ceilings are of Moorish style and the beautiful cloisters are Romanesque. The famous chanting monks can be heard daily. Overnight in Burgos.

Day FIVE POTES

Continue to Potes in Cantabria where nearby, with a backdrop of the Picos de Europa mountains, you can visit the Monastery of Santo Toribio de Liebana. The monastery is only opened whenever the 16th of April falls on a Sunday. Liebana shares with Rome, Jerusalem and Santiago de Compostela the celebration of Ano Santo (Holy Year). In Santo Toribio is kept a piece of the cross upon which, it is believed, Christ was crucified. Accommodation of your choice in the area.

Day SIX LEON

From Potes travel to Leon. Here San Marcos, a former Monastery  now resored as a Parador hotel and a museum, is a prime example of Spanish Renaissance architecture. Visit the Gothic Cathedral, inspired by the French style, the highlight of which is the stunning stained glass. Also San Isidoro Basilica with its Romanesque Royal Pantheon, superbly decorated with 12th century frescoes. Gaudi is also represented here in the Casa de los Botines, a building he designed that is now a bank. Accommodation of your choice in Leon.

Day SEVEN

Return to your point of departure.

Or

TOUR B

Day ONE ZARAGOZA

Arrival to Zaragoza. Accommodation of your choice in Zaragoza.

Day TWO ZARAGOZA

Visit Zaragoza which has a splendid old quarter and still preserves fine examples of mudejar art, such as the Palace/Castle of Aljaferia. The Cathedral of San Salvador and La Seo, are other fine buildings with mudejar decoration on the outside based on bricks and colour tiles. Also the Churches of San Pablo, La Magdalena.  Overnight in Zaragoza.

Day THREE PAMPLONA

Today travel south to Nevalos to visit the peaceful Monasterio de Piedra (Stone Monastery), which stands in a park (considered a nature reserve) full of grotto´s and waterfalls. This monastery was built in 1195, and although it was rebuilt in the 19th century some of the original buildings still survive. Next head northwest to visit Sos del Rey Catolico and Javier, the birthplace of St Francisco de Javier. Accommodation of your choice in Pamplona.

Day FOUR PAMPLONA

This morning explore Pamplona. Here you will find the medieval bridge of Magdalena, the French Gothic Cathedral and la Playa del Castillo. In the afternoon head east again to visit the Monastery of Leyre which is located high and alone amongst stunning scenery. The monastery dates back to the 11th century and tours are given by resident monks every morning and afternoon. Overnight Pamplona.

Day FIVE BURGOS

Travel through the Rioja region to San Millan de la Cogolla where you will find the Monasteries of Suso and Yuso. From here continue to the monastery of Santo Domingo de Silos. Afterwards drive to Burgos and accommodation of your choice in the city.

Day SIX LEON

Next continue to Leon. Here San Marcos, a Monastery now restored as Parador hotel and a museum, is a prime example of Spanish Renaissance architecture. See also the Gothic Cathedral, inspired by the French style, the highlight of which is the stained glass. Also San Isidoro Basilica inside which you will find the Romanesque Royal Pantheon, superbly decorated with 12th century frescoes. Gaudi is also represented here in the Casa de los Botines, a building he designed that is now a bank. Accommodation of your choice in Leon.

Day SEVEN SEGOVIA

Today move south to Segovia. Here there are countless vestiges of the past to be seen most remarkable of which is the incredible Roman aqueduct which towers over the town. Although it dates from the 1st century AD, it was still used until 2 centuries ago. The awe-inspiring Alcazar has presided over the city since the middle ages and the imposing 16th century gothic Cathedral is also spectacular. Cochinillo Asado (roast suckling pig) is just one of the many local dishes that must be sampled here. Accommodation of your choice in Segovia.

Day EIGHT MADRID

Continuing towards Madrid we arrive at the Monastery of El Escorial, the massive monastery-palace situated to the Northwest of the capital. This imposing palace was built between 1563 and 1584, in honour of St. Lawrence (San Lorenzo). Its artistic wealth contains important works of the royal Habsburg collections and over 40,000 books in the library, which ceilings are decorated with frescoes by Tibaldi. Of special interest are the Royal Pantheon and the Museum of Art. Accommodation of your choice in Madrid.

Day NINE MADRID

Today enjoy a daytrip to the Monastery of Ucles, in Cuenca (Castilla y La Mancha), nicknamed the “Escorial of La Mancha”. Originally a medieval fortress it became a Monastery in 1174. The building is mainly Renaissance, but with Baroque ornamental detail. Today it is used as a seminary school. Accommodation of your choice in Madrid.

Day TEN

Return to your point of departure.

CLICK HERE TO REQUEST AVAILABILITY / BOOK THIS CHURCHES AND MONASTERY TOUR

 OR

REQUEST A QUOTATION FOR YOUR OWN CUSTOMISED CHURCHES AND MONASTERIES TOUR

Accommodation

If you like the look of the above Suggested Tour we will gladly prepare a quote for you. The itinerary is not rigid and can be modified to suit your needs.

Below is a selection of the accommodation we would recommend for this tour. Click on the Hotel Code or symbol for photographs and detailed information about each property. If you have registered to use our Spain Travel & Holiday Planner, you need only click on to insert it into your itinerary.

Spanish Churches and Monasteries Tour	Hotel Code	Classification	Information
2 nights in Zaragoza	ARA08	Central Hotel

1 night in Rioja

RIO05

Country Hotel

1 night in Burgos

CYL53

Central Hotel w/ pool

1 night in Cantabria	CAN46	Country Hotel
	PAR05 PARADOR	Paradors

1 night in LEON	CYL12	Central Hotel
	PAR08 PARADOR	Paradors

Churches and Monasteries of Northern Spain (10 days)	Hotel Code	Classification	Information
2 nights in Zaragoza	ARA08	Central Hotel

2 nights in Pamplona

NAV20

Central Hotel

1 night in Burgos

CYL53

Central Hotel w/ pool

1 night in LEON	CYL12	Central Hotel
	PAR08 PARADOR	Paradors

1 night in Segovia	CYL15	Central Hotel
	PAR66 PARADOR	Paradors w/ pool

2 nights in MADRID	MAD01	Central Hotel
	MAD04	Central Hotel

Travel Spain with the Spain travel and Tour Spain Specialists. Your resource for quality travel in Spain.