Hotel Don Marcos

The beautiful, medieval, walled town of El Burgo de Osma and la Cuidad de Osma, lying side by side, in the west of the province of Soria, were declared an artistic historical centre in 1993. With a long history, important in Visigothic times, this was a Christian stronghold along the Duero during the Reconquest.

The hamlet of la Cuidad de Osma dates back to the Bronze Age and later was a Roman city called Uxama (now an archeological site). It was governed by the nobility whilst neighbouring El Burgo de Osma was a mere borough until granted a bishop's seat in the thirteenth century when the Romanesque cathedral was rebuilt in the Gothic style.

Both "towns" are overlooked by the impressive C10th castle built on Roman foundations, a great spot to take in the overall picture of the scene below.

Walk through the main gate into El Burgo de Osma and you will be stunned by the exquisite Catedral de la Asuncion, one of the finest examples of Spanish Gothic and its fine Baroque tower. Go within and find a medley of different styles, including the altarpiece, a masterly creation  of the sixteenth century sculptor, Juan de Juni. 

Do not miss the museum, especially to see the tomb of San Pedro, the founder of the cathedral, with its profuse decorative detail and a collection of minature paintings based on the manuscripts of C8th monk, Beatus, from Liebana in Cantabria. A real treasure, showing the union of Moorish and Christian styles and themes.

• Explore the town of El Burgo de Osma, including La Catedral de la Asunción,La Plaza Mayor, Hospital de San Agustin, Ayuntamiento (Town Hall), El Convento Del Carmen, Universidad de Santa Catalina, El Real Hospicio and El Seminario Diocesano Santo Domingo de Guzman.
• Walk up to the C10th Castillo de Osma and the archeological site of Uxama, crossing over the Roman Bridge over the river Ucero in La Cuidad de Osma.
• Visit the nearby village of Gormaz with its spectacular C10th Arab castle, the largest in Europe – a scene of many battles! El Cid was the first mayor here. In the lower part of the village, in the Chapel of San Miguel, discover fantastic Romanesque paintings from C12th.
• Delve a little further afield to lovely, medieval Berlanga de Duero with its spectacular C15th castle and colegiata, Renaissance palaces and quaint plaza mayor. Do not miss the Mozarabic church San Baudelio de Berlanga, an architectural jewel, nearby. Continue on to medieval, walled Rello with yet another castle!
• Make your way to San Esteban de Gormaz, featuring several times in “El Cantar del Cid” (El Cid’s daughters were looked after here), with its medieval and Roman bridges, C8th century walls, C10th castle, Romanesque churches and 300 subterranean family bodegas, built into the rocks! Take time to visit a very special small “Bodega Aranda de Vries”and its artistic garden a few kilometres from the town.
• Visit the charming and well preserved medieval village (with traditional chimneys) of Calatanazor where the great and greatly feared Arab warrior Almanzor (Al Mansur) “lost his tambor”. From the castle, look out over the “Valle de la sangre” (valley of blood), the scene of the gruesome battle.
• Drive through the spectacular nature reserve of “El Canon del Rio Lobos” with its limestone canyons, soaring rock faces and dense forests of pine, poplars and juniper trees. Home to many birds of prey.
• Visit the dramatic glacial lake of La Laguna Negra (The Black Lake). Icy and clear, it is like an amphitheatre, surrounded by walls of mountains and by tall pine forests of the Urbion range.
• Enjoy the local gastronomy – local truffles and wild mushrooms and “torreznos” (crispy pork crackling) are very popular along with lamb stews , game dishes and roast meat. Sample the exquisite butter, a speciality of the region! and all the different little cakes – Brevas de Soria and Paciencias among them. Excellent Ribera del Duero wines are a great accompaniment.

  Besides the cathedral you will be entranced by the C18th Plaza Mayor with the  imposing, Baroque Hospital de San Agustin, the porticoed streets and the many other historical
  monuments the town boasts.

  Enjoy its gastronomy too – try the crispiest of pork crackling "torreznos" for which Soria is famed and in the colder months all the products of "la matanza" (the traditional killing of the pig).

  In the immediate area, in whichever direction you go in, you will be spoilt for choice of natural beauty spots and fascinating ancient villages, almost all with a castle and all with a history to tell!