plaza de San Clemente

Plaza de San Clemente is a small square tucked into the historic core of Soria, a city in the Castile and León region of Spain. It sits just off Calle del Collado, the city's main shopping street, reached through a narrow side alley. The square measures roughly 126 meters in length and sits at coordinates 41.764591, -2.467143.

Where does the name come from?

The square takes its name from the Church of San Clemente, a Romanesque building that once stood on this spot but has since disappeared. Only the name survives, a pattern common across old Spanish town centers, where streets and squares keep the memory of buildings that vanished centuries ago.

Why do locals call it "El Tubo"?

Ask anyone from Soria and they're more likely to call this spot "El Tubo," or more precisely "El Tubo Estrecho" — literally, the narrow tube. The nickname describes the shape of the space itself: a tight, elongated stretch hemmed in by townhouses that gives the impression of walking through a corridor. The informal name has stuck so firmly that residents use it far more often than the square's official title.

What's worth seeing here?

The square's main landmark is the Palace of los Ríos y Salcedo, a building raised in the first half of the 16th century on the site once occupied by the Church of San Clemente. It's a good example of the kind of civic palace built by wealthy families in Castilian towns of that era, when prominent lineages liked to plant their residences close to commercial and religious centers.

Directly across from the palace, on the opposite corner, stands a building that once housed the local seat of the Inquisition. It was later converted into a private residence and survives to this day. Having these two structures — a noble family's former palace and the former Inquisition house — facing each other across such a small square gives this corner of Soria unusual historical weight for its size.

What is the square like today?

These days, Plaza de San Clemente functions mainly as a social gathering spot. The bars clustered around it draw locals before mealtimes and again in the late afternoon, a rhythm familiar throughout this part of Spain: a round of tapas or a quick drink before heading off for a proper lunch or dinner. It's a habit deeply woven into daily life here rather than a tourist ritual.

For visitors walking Calle del Collado, the square offers a natural pause point along the old town's main shopping route. Taking a seat at one of the outdoor tables for a few minutes, rather than simply passing through, is the easiest way to get a feel for how Sorians actually use their public spaces.

Frequently asked questions

Where does the name Plaza de San Clemente come from? It's named after the Romanesque Church of San Clemente, which once stood here and no longer exists.

Why is the square also called "El Tubo"? It's a local nickname referring to the narrow, elongated shape of the space, which resembles a corridor or tube.

What should visitors look out for on the square? The 16th-century Palace of los Ríos y Salcedo and, on the opposite corner, the former Inquisition building, later converted into a residence.

How do you get to the square? It's located just off Calle del Collado, Soria's main shopping street, accessed through a side alley.

Is it a good spot for food and drinks? Yes — the surrounding bars are a popular meeting point before meals and in the late afternoon, in keeping with local custom.