Convent of San Francisco

Convent of San Francisco is a former Franciscan monastery and church in Soria, standing just outside the old city walls near the banks of the Duero river. The site blends medieval history, Gothic religious architecture, and a modern second life as a hotel and spa, making it an easy stop on a walk through the city's monumental quarter.

How do you get there?

The former convent grounds sit within easy walking distance of Soria's center, along the route linking the old town with the riverside and the nearby Monastery of San Juan de Duero. On foot, it takes only a short stroll from Plaza Mayor. Drivers will find parking nearby, and the location fits naturally into a route covering Soria's Romanesque and Gothic landmarks, including San Pedro Cathedral.

What is the history behind it?

Franciscan tradition credits the founding to Saint Francis of Assisi himself, who is said to have passed through Soria in 1214 and marked the future site with stones. Documented monastic activity dates from 1227, when a General Chapter of the Franciscan order was held here. One of the funerary niches held Jaime IV, the nominal king of Mallorca and consort king of Naples, who died in 1375 — the same year the church hosted the wedding of the Castilian heir John, later King John I, to Eleanor of Aragon.

The original Romanesque church was already at risk of collapse by 1533, prompting the construction of a new Gothic church at the end of the 16th century, designed by stonemason Francisco Collado, with a nave, transept, and three pentagonal apses. A fire in 1618 damaged the conventual quarters, which were later rebuilt. Further blows came in the 19th century: in 1812, during the Peninsular War, Brigadier José Joaquín Durán ordered part of the building demolished to keep it out of French hands, and in 1835 Spain's religious disentailment forced the Franciscans to abandon the site for good.

What will you see there today?

After secularization, the building served as a provincial hospital, and from the early 1970s it housed Soria's University College. Today the former monastic walls have been converted into a hotel and spa, preserving part of the historic structure and its surroundings. Next to it, on the site of the old monastic ruins, lies a small square known as Rincón de Bécquer — a quiet riverside corner popular with visitors strolling this part of the city.

When is the best time to visit?

Spring and early autumn are ideal for walking along the Duero and exploring this part of Soria, with mild temperatures and green surroundings at their best. In summer, mornings or late afternoons help avoid the heat typical of inland Castile. The site pairs well with a full day exploring Soria's Romanesque and Gothic monuments.

Frequently asked questions

Can you go inside the Convent of San Francisco? The former church and monastery now operate as part of a hotel and spa complex, so interior access depends on its current operations; the surrounding grounds, including Rincón de Bécquer, remain open to everyone.

Who founded the monastery? Franciscan tradition links the founding to Saint Francis of Assisi's visit to Soria in 1214, though documented activity at the site dates back to 1227.

What historical events took place here? The church holds the tomb of Jaime IV, king of Mallorca, and in 1375 hosted the wedding of future Castilian king John I to Eleanor of Aragon.

What happened to the building after the monastery closed? Following the 1835 disentailment, it served first as a provincial hospital and later as a university seat before being converted into today's hotel and spa.