San Juan Bautista de Corias
Encyclopedia
San Juan Bautista de Corias is a former Benedictine
monastery
in Corias
on the right bank of the Narcea
dedicated to Saint John the Baptist. It was founded in 1032 on his own land by Count Piñolo Jiménez (Piniolo) and his wife Aldonza Muñoz, wealthy Leonese
aristocrats. Originally constructed in the Romanesque style
, it was reconstructed in the Neoclassical style
after a fire destroyed all but the chapel in 1773. Today it is informally known as "the Asturian
Escorial
" (el Escorial Asturiano).
The first abbot was Arias Cromaz, a relative of Piniolo and thus also of Oveco
, Bishop of Oviedo from 913 to circa 960. After nineteen years as abbot, Arias was elected to the diocese of Oviedo. The monastery attained its maximal splendour in the twelfth and thirteenth centuries, with properties stretched across the western Asturias and into the neighbouring province of León. The monastery received diverse modifications and additions over the centuries, but after the fire of 1773 the entire complex had to be rebuilt. The project was overseen by Miguel Ferro, using a rectangular layout with two courtyards and the chapel located in a wing.
Today it is a complex of structures classified as a Bien de Interés Cultural
and protected by the Spanish government
. It houses a parador
and an interpretation centre for a natural park
.
Benedictine
Benedictine refers to the spirituality and consecrated life in accordance with the Rule of St Benedict, written by Benedict of Nursia in the sixth century for the cenobitic communities he founded in central Italy. The most notable of these is Monte Cassino, the first monastery founded by Benedict...
monastery
Monastery
Monastery denotes the building, or complex of buildings, that houses a room reserved for prayer as well as the domestic quarters and workplace of monastics, whether monks or nuns, and whether living in community or alone .Monasteries may vary greatly in size – a small dwelling accommodating only...
in Corias
Corias (Narcea)
Corias is one of 54 parishes in Cangas del Narcea, a municipality within the province and autonomous community of Asturias, in northern Spain. The monastery-parador of San Juan Bautista de Corias is located there.-Villages:* La Ubia* Courias* Retuertas...
on the right bank of the Narcea
Narcea
The Narcea is a river of Asturias. It is a tributary of the Nalón River....
dedicated to Saint John the Baptist. It was founded in 1032 on his own land by Count Piñolo Jiménez (Piniolo) and his wife Aldonza Muñoz, wealthy Leonese
Kingdom of León
The Kingdom of León was an independent kingdom situated in the northwest region of the Iberian Peninsula. It was founded in AD 910 when the Christian princes of Asturias along the northern coast of the peninsula shifted their capital from Oviedo to the city of León...
aristocrats. Originally constructed in the Romanesque style
Romanesque architecture
Romanesque architecture is an architectural style of Medieval Europe characterised by semi-circular arches. There is no consensus for the beginning date of the Romanesque architecture, with proposals ranging from the 6th to the 10th century. It developed in the 12th century into the Gothic style,...
, it was reconstructed in the Neoclassical style
Neoclassical architecture
Neoclassical architecture was an architectural style produced by the neoclassical movement that began in the mid-18th century, manifested both in its details as a reaction against the Rococo style of naturalistic ornament, and in its architectural formulas as an outgrowth of some classicizing...
after a fire destroyed all but the chapel in 1773. Today it is informally known as "the Asturian
Asturias
The Principality of Asturias is an autonomous community of the Kingdom of Spain, coextensive with the former Kingdom of Asturias in the Middle Ages...
Escorial
El Escorial
The Royal Seat of San Lorenzo de El Escorial is a historical residence of the king of Spain, in the town of San Lorenzo de El Escorial, about 45 kilometres northwest of the capital, Madrid, in Spain. It is one of the Spanish royal sites and functions as a monastery, royal palace, museum, and...
" (el Escorial Asturiano).
The first abbot was Arias Cromaz, a relative of Piniolo and thus also of Oveco
Oveco (Bishop of Oviedo)
Oveco was the Bishop of Oviedo from 913/4, whose episcopate lasted almost half a century. Despite his longevity he is a relatively obscure figure. His origins lie in the same landed and wealthy aristocratic family as those of the Count Piniolo who founded the monastery of San Juan Bautista de...
, Bishop of Oviedo from 913 to circa 960. After nineteen years as abbot, Arias was elected to the diocese of Oviedo. The monastery attained its maximal splendour in the twelfth and thirteenth centuries, with properties stretched across the western Asturias and into the neighbouring province of León. The monastery received diverse modifications and additions over the centuries, but after the fire of 1773 the entire complex had to be rebuilt. The project was overseen by Miguel Ferro, using a rectangular layout with two courtyards and the chapel located in a wing.
Today it is a complex of structures classified as a Bien de Interés Cultural
Bien de Interés Cultural
A Bien de Interés Cultural is a category of the Spanish heritage register. This category dates from 1985 when it replaced the former heritage category of Monumento nacional in order to extend protection to a wider range of cultural property...
and protected by the Spanish government
Spanish Government
Spain is a constitutional monarchy whose government is defined by the Constitution of Spain. This was approved by a general referendum of the people of Spain in 1978...
. It houses a parador
Parador
A parador , in Spain and other Spanish-speaking countries, is a kind of luxury hotel, usually located in a historic building such as a monastery or castle. Parar means to stop, halt or stay.- Paradores de Turismo de España :...
and an interpretation centre for a natural park
Natural park (Spain)
In Spain, a natural park is a natural space protected for its biology, geology, or landscape, with ecological, aesthetic, educational, or scientific value whose preservation merits preferential attention on the part of public administration. The regulation of the activities that may occur there...
.
Primary sources
- El Libro Registro de Corias, 2 vols., ed. A. C. Floriano Cumbreño. Oviedo: 1950.