Uclés Monastery: the house of the Order of Santiago
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When thinking of the Middle Ages come to mind always the same recurring topics: impregnable fortresses, bloody wars, Religious Orders… Uclés Monastery has a lot of three things, so no need to say anything more to justify a visit to this impressive collection is a National Monument 1931. It was the home of the mighty Order of Santiago, sits on a hill and its sturdy walls seems to have stopped the story.
To drive up there is pretty simple, and comes from Madrid or from Cuenca's image will always be equally impressive: a few miles when we appear on the horizon a small hill to a monastery at its peak. Its impregnable appearance at the time and had a defensive role today is not lost, as the feeling of respect is surfacing when it first appears in our eyes. This is because the site is the reason for the enclave, who has lived almost as many stages as people have had the Iberian Peninsula. The importance from a historical perspective is given mainly because since 1174 to the confiscation of 1836 belonged to the Order of Santiago, remains headquartered (Caput ordinis).Was given to the then new Militia of God by the Castilian king Alfonso VIII, who decide to take their former inhabitants of the Order of San Juan (best known for Order of Malta). It is impossible to summarize in this article the importance of the place was in the process of Reconquista, but highlights the battle known as the Seven Uclés Counts, where the Infante Don Sancho dies at the hands of Almohad troops which some historians avoided the possible union of Christian Spain a few centuries before they did the Catholic Monarchs (1108).
It comes from Madrid or from Cuenca image will always be just as impressive: a few miles when we appear on the horizon a small hill to a monastery at its peak
At first, therefore, Uclés prioritized the task of settling the border with Muslims, but after the end of the “Reconquest” process, it gradually ceased to be “a castle” to become more of a monastery. Its construction lasted more than two centuries. (XVI-XVIII) and this is reflected in the architecture, that offers no fewer than three different styles: plateresque, Herrera and churrigueresco.
El Escorial of La Mancha
After the mountain of data hides a real journey into the past and a major tourist environment references: not in vain, the Monastery of Uclés is known as “El Escorial de la Mancha”. There are experiences that everyone should live at least once in their life, and in Spain there are few things like stand in front of the magnificent baroque façade of Pedro de Ribera that presents all, cross access and enjoy the courtyard that opens to the passenger (payment of entry, there is always an earthy shade of mystical experiences). Along the courtyard have different rooms that make up the monastery and it may take a couple of hours visiting. Certainly, not all units are accessible and that from 1949 functions as a minor seminary of the diocese of Cuenca.
May be a good idea to start with the church, since it is one of the strengths. Is perfectly conserved and structured as a center of interpretation of the Order of Santiago. Not listed as such in any place, but in the different chapels offers pieces (Statues, weapons, codices…) and panels to include not only the intrinsic importance of the order, but its role in the Iberian Peninsula. Just next door is the sacristy, now used as a chapel, you can know soon after tour the beautiful church attached. However, decoration is most striking. Stay Another highlight is the dining hall, currently used as dining room remains for seminarians. Maybe your furniture without interest, but at the top of the room is beautifully handcrafted invoice, which represents all teachers of the Order, included a traitor with a skull that left the visitor to discover its meaning alone. Finally, there are some corridors through which you can move to rush the check finish. From what is left, most interesting is up to the top floor to have a different perspective on the patio.
Anyway, the interior is not the only thing worth Uclés Monastery. Perhaps the most prominent feature is the facade which is accessed and has already been spoken, but it's worth a walk around the perimeter of the building. For anyone who likes history or art will be a remarkable experience, since virtually every corner of the façade provides a small detail: Santiago crossings, Registration, lattices… On the other hand, At this point we should remember the image that the story has begun: the promontory on which stands the whole. Being in the surrounding views are fantastic, being an ideal place to enjoy a traditional Castilian landscape or to see the town from a different perspective Uclés. Attention lovers, it may be a site identic to enjoy a beautiful sunset.
In short, Uclés Monastery is a highly recommendable option for touring the interior of the Iberian Peninsula. Not many places offer in so little space so many attractions and so many options, since from Uclés are a stone's throw other nuclei of interest Segóbriga Archaeological Park, Huete or own Cuenca.
More Edu routes in Spain&Different en www.eduyeriviajes.com
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The set is in the heart of Uclés, a small town halfway between Madrid and Cuenca. From the capital of Spain takes just over an hour's drive, being most of the way the A-3 to take the detour Tarancón. From this point you should go for a couple of minor roads, but is very well signposted. On the other hand, from Cuenca takes the same and the route is more or less similar: most comfortable way to the A-40 until the height of Carrascosa del Campo has to take the detour and pass through a two-way.
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Uclés Monastery has more or less the same distance two Paradores Nacionales: the Basin and the de Alarcón. Both are perfect choices for a stopover after visiting the set and take the opportunity to meet another of the many attractions of the province. Another possibility is to stay in one of many surrounding houses: Tarancón, Carrascosa del Campo almond or offer endless possibilities.
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The Villa Restaurant Uclés (Angus Street) offers a good variety of dishes always framed around traditional recipes. Special mention deserves its succulent morteruelo, a stew prepared essentially pork liver base and game.
[tab:highly recommended]
For fans of Red Eagle, TV's most watched in Spain, Uclés Monastery is a family environment, since several frames of the series were filmed both inside and externally.
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Javier Reverte trips online
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