San Juan de Ortega

Castilla y León

A hamlet built around a Romanesque monastery in deep oak forest — and an equinox light miracle.

A short history

Founded by Saint Juan, a disciple of Santo Domingo de la Calzada, to shelter pilgrims crossing the wild Montes de Oca. Twice a year a beam of equinox light strikes the capital depicting the Annunciation.

What to see

Iglesia de San Juan (equinox 'Miracle of Light' on March 21 & September 22)
Tomb of Saint Juan
Romanesque cloister ruins

Where to eat

Bar Marcela (legendary garlic soup)

Where to sleep

Albergue Parroquial de San Juan de Ortega (donativo)