Nuestra Señora de la Soterraña, Gothic church in Santa María la Real de Nieva, Spain.
Nuestra Señora de la Soterraña is a Gothic church with three naves and a transept in Santa María la Real de Nieva, Spain. The building also includes a cloister with carved stone arches running along its inner courtyard.
The church was founded in 1393 at the request of Queen Catherine of Lancaster, after a wooden statue of Mary was found buried near Nieva. Construction continued through the 15th century, and the complex was entrusted to the Dominican order.
The cloister showcases carved scenes depicting medieval crafts, daily routines, and plants from that era. These representations offer insight into how people lived and worked in the 15th century.
QR codes placed throughout the building let visitors explore the architecture at their own pace without needing a guided tour. The cloister is a good starting point before moving into the naves and other parts of the complex.
Beneath the church there is a small cave where the original wooden statue of Mary was kept before it was destroyed by fire in the 19th century. This underground space is where the statue was first venerated after it was found in the ground nearby.
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