Hermitage of San Santuario in Soria

Ermita de San Santuario is one of the most charming and well-known places in Soria. It is a temple dedicated to the patron saint of the city, St. Saturio, who according to tradition lived as a hermit in a cave above the Duero River in the 6th century. The hermitage was built at the turn of the 17th and 18th centuries, using natural rock formations and creating a harmonious architectural ensemble.




To reach the hermitage, you have to cross the bridge over the Duero and turn right, following the path along the river. After a few hundred meters, you will notice the white facade of the hermitage, which stands out against the green landscape. Entrance to the hermitage is free, but silence and respect for this holy place must be maintained.




Inside the hermitage, there are various rooms worth visiting. The first of these is the Sala del Cabildo de los Heros, where meetings of the farmers’ brotherhood used to take place. In this room, there is a black figure of St. Saturio from the end of the 19th century, to which the sick and disabled prayed, who could not enter the main chapel.




Then we move on to the Chapel of St. Michael, where there is a stained glass window depicting a miracle that took place when a child fell from a window into the river and was saved by St. Saturio. In this chapel, there is also a painting of St. Anne, originating from the destroyed hermitage on the hill of the same name.




The next room is the exhibition hall, where you can see information panels about the history and art of the hermitage, as well as a selection of cloaks, which the bust of St. Saturio wears on the occasion of ceremonies. Further on is the living room of the santera, the person responsible for taking care of the hermitage and the relics. In this room, you can see how the Santero lived at the end of the 19th century, with his furniture, utensils, and everyday objects.




The last room is the main chapel, where there is an altar with the relics of St. Saturio. This chapel is carved into the rock and closed with an iron grate. The relics are placed in a silver reliquary in the shape of a head, which is surrounded by silver angels and flowers. On the walls of the chapel, you can admire paintings from the 18th century, depicting scenes from the life of St. Saturio and his miracles. In this chapel, there is an atmosphere of silence and prayer, and the faithful can make offerings and requests to the patron saint of the city.