A surviving fortified wall complex tells the story of Retortillo de Soria’s past defenses, alongside historic gates, a Gothic parish church and routes through the countryside. This offers several ways to discover the town: through its buildings, its network of routes and the landscape south of the municipality.
City Walls, Gates and the Church of San Pedro
The surviving fortified wall complex served to protect the town. To the west stands the Arco de Sollera, also called the Arco de abajo: a 14th-century gate flanked by two tall round towers. The eastern Arco de Oriente, also called the Arco de arriba, dates from the 16th century. The two gates therefore differ both in location and in date.
Another highlight of the architectural heritage is the Church of San Pedro. The Gothic parish church has a hall layout with three naves and a polygonal chancel. Its chancel is dated to approximately the 15th century. Visitors interested in historic architectural forms will therefore find not just a single feature here, but a clearly structured church interior with several naves and a distinct chancel area.
The church also houses a Romanesque depiction of the Virgen del Prado, as well as relics of Saint Ursula and her fellow martyrs. These treasures add the religious furnishings of the town to the picture of its architecture. South of Retortillo de Soria, the Ermita de San Miguel is also located in the abandoned settlement of LĂ©rida. Its Romanesque portal and capitals date from the 12th century.
Historic Routes and Trails
Retortillo de Soria lies on a Roman road that connected Segontia, present-day Sigüenza, via Termancia with Uxama, present-day Osma. A connection to the Camino de Santiago also shapes the history of its routes: via the Ruta de la Lana, the town forms part of the Way of St. James. Its eighth stage runs between Atienza and Tarancueña and passes through Retortillo. The El Destierro circular cycling route is a separate route: its stage from Berlanga de Duero to Atienza also passes through the town.
The Retortillo–Tiermes route begins in Retortillo de Soria and reaches Tiermes after 19.3 kilometers. The Ermita de Santa MarĂa is located there, the remains of a monastery already mentioned in 1136. Tiermes is also the endpoint of the GR 86.1, the Sendero IbĂ©rico Soriano. Another stage of the GR 86 runs from BrĂas to Retortillo and is 15.5 kilometers long. It first follows sections of a Roman road and an old path through holm oak woodland and steppe areas; a trail and an agricultural track then lead to Retortillo. These details describe different routes, each with its own starting and ending points.
Landscape and Practical Information
Vertical rock formations of the Sierra Pela rise on the southern side of Retortillo de Soria. Praos de Nieves is designated as a scenic spot. The municipality also includes 6,793.59 hectares of the Altos de Barahona ZEPA protected area; this represents 39 percent of the municipal area. Rock formations, named scenic spots and the protected area give the surroundings a variety of landscape features.
A pilgrimage takes place at the undeveloped site of LĂ©rida on the Saturday closest to May 8, the feast day of Saint Michael. After Mass, the Ermita is circled three times in a procession. A description revised on September 27, 2017, states that the outside of the Ermita de San Miguel is freely accessible; ask at the town hall about access to the interior and confirm the current arrangements before your visit.
The municipality offers a demand-responsive transport service connecting all the villages in the municipality with Berlanga del Duero. Check booking requirements and operating details before you travel. You can supplement your route and landscape planning with a specific question about local transport connections.
Discover More Destinations
Discover more destinations: Garray, Yanguas, Almarza, San Esteban De Gormaz, Serón de Nágima, Navaleno, Rioseco De Soria, Castillejo de Robledo.
For the main travel overview: Soria.
