We were back to my dear Spain again !! love it !! We came by car of course and took time to see new areas and old repeat with some of them as introduction to my sons and our dog Rex ! I rented a small house in a off the beaten path country town that was just perfect ! I like to continue the saga of our new road warrior experiences even if now with less in our family, This post is on my latest road warrior tour of wonderful sublime Spain. Therefore, let me tell you about the former Church of San Agustín of Toro !!! Hope you enjoy the post as I.
The town of Toro is in the province of Zamora, Autonomous Community of Castilla y León in the kingdom of Spain, It is located 46 km from our rental house in Velliza, 62 km from Valladolid , 79 km from Salamanca, 148 km from Avila and 221 km from Madrid. The town stands at 722 meters above sea level. The town is crossed by the roads we took, the Autovia del Duero (A-11) that links Zamora provincial capital with Tordesillas. And the national road N-122 the alternative to the above highway, and more local.
In the Plaza San Agustin next to the first walled enclosure of the city, next to the missing Puerta de San Román, and near where we parked. It is a fairly wide square, where the Alcazar de Toro is located in front on which the entire Vega del Río Duero is seen with pretty views on the valley below.
In this square, you find the former Church of San Agustín. This former church of San Agustín is what remains of the confiscation of Nuestra Señora de Gracia de Toro, run by the order of the Augustinian hermits or Augustinian Calzados, and built on the missing church of Saint Pelayo. A majestic place of worship is one of the main tourist attractions in the area, not only because of its imposing architecture, but also because of the historical and cultural wealth that the former church houses inside , It was built in the 12C, during the Reconquista era. Its architectural style is a mixture of Romanesque and Gothic, which gives it a unique and fascinating character. The former Church of San Agustín stands out for its impressive stone facade, its imposing towers and its majestic stained glass windows. Inside, beautiful medieval frescoes, impressive gold altarpieces and an impressive Gothic vault that leave all visitors can be admired. One of the most striking elements of the church is its main altar, dedicated to the patron of the town, San Agustín. This Baroque altar is decorated with intricate golden details of saints, creating an atmosphere of devotion and spirituality.
It was purchase by a mill worker that first converts the church into a stable, for which he had to evict out any religious element due to the demand of the municipal authorities, and in 1975 he allocated it to a garage, to later be rented as a warehouse the chapel, which was used as a stallion station was endowed with a double cruise vault from which it lacked and the plaster layer of the internal arches was removed, recovering 17C paintings the conversion of ancient sacristy in a beautiful monacal -looking patio, in which they have been inserted , as in the rest of the former church, numerous singular elements such as old gates and carved stones. In the enclosure a rest of the first wall of the city has also been exposed and is equipped with a stack of the 14C and a well. Currently, is a municipal exposition room.
The Toro tourist office on its heritage: https://www.turismotoro.com/index.php/es/toro-monumental
The Castilla y Léon regional tourist office on Toro: https://www.turismocastillayleon.com/en/heritage-culture/toro
There you go folks , another wonderful nostalgic, sentimental trip to my dear Spain, Do not know when we will be back, we sure will have this trip in our hearts forever, Again, hope you enjoy this post on the former Church of San Agustín of Toro !!! as I
And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all !!!
Paris1972-Versailles2003 