Románico Zamora

Church of Espíritu Santo

13th century

This church was consecrated on 12th June, 1212. The church of Espíritu Santo (Holy Spirit) was founded during the reign of Alfonso IX (Alphonso IX) and was built in late-Romanesque style. The neighborhood to which it belongs to, had special privileges in 1222 bearing the name of Pobla Sancti Spiritus. 

It had the rank of abbey, though it was answerable to the Cathedral Chapter. This church was built by the great Juan who was dean of Zamora and was consecrated by the bishop of Zamora called Martín, a bishop of Coria and other from Portugal.

The church consists of a single nave with a wooden roof and a main chapel with plain front which is covered with a pointed barrel vault. Both the exterior and the interior part, have a double openwork rose-window. It consists of seven decorated circles adorned with diamond and plain sheets. The eaves are supported by an impost over convex-molding and scotia corbels. The gable is topped with two acroteriums and a big ball, as can be seen at the Cathedral. In the northern, western and southern walls, the supports of the portico which was once there, still protrude.

The interior nave is covered with wood and a barrel vault which is slightly pointed in the apse. At the foot of the northern wall is the recumbent figure of the abbot Franco de Ribera and its bare walls used to be covered with mural paintings. In 1963, could be restored three consecration crosses and the Tetramorph, angels and geometric decoration. At the same time, a boy discovered the image of the Holy Christ of the Holy Spirit image, which dated from the late-14th century, and had been walled up.

These days, the church is the headquarter of the “Hermandad Penitencial del Stmo. Cristo del Espírito Santo” (Penitential Confraternity of the Most Holy Christ of the Holy Spirit). They take part in the Friday of Sorrows procession.

In 1983 it was declared of cultural interest.

Interior de la Iglesia del Espíritu Santo

El interior se cubre con madera en la nave y con bóveda de cañón ligeramente apuntada en el ábside. A los pies del muro norte está la figura yacente del abad Franco de Ribera.

Las paredes que hoy están desnudas se cubrían con pinturas de las que se pudieron recuperar en 1963 tres cruces de consagración con el Tetramorfos, ángeles y decoración geométrica; a su vez fue descubierta por un niño la imagen del Santísimo Cristo del Espíritu Santo, de finales del Siglo XIV, que estaba emparedada; en la actualidad la iglesia es sede de la Hermandad Penitencial de Stmo. Cristo del Espíritu Santo, que sale en procesión los viernes de Dolores.

ADDRESS

It is located on the outlaying district called Espírito Santo, between Almaraz and Alcañices roads, near Valorio Forest.

To view the entire route from your position to the monument, you can click on the Google icon located on the lower left corner of the map.

OPENING HOURS AND VISITS

It is open on Sunday and holiday during mass at 11:00 and 12:00.

GENERAL INTEREST SERVICES

Tourist offices: 

- Local tourist office: It is located at 5, Arias Gonzalo Square. Tel. +34 980 533 694

- Castilla y León tourist office: It is located at 1, Príncipe de Asturias Avenue. Tel. +34 980 531 845

- Provincial tourist office: It is located at Viriato Square. Tel. +34 980 534 047

Local police: Tel. +34 980 531 245

Civil Guard (police with responsibilities outside towns): Tel. +34 980 521 100

Emergency telephone numbers: 112

- Virgen de la Concha (Hospital): Tel. +34 980 548 212

Bus station: Tel. +34 980 521 281

Train station: Tel. +34 980 521 110

Taxi: Tel. +34 630 630 630 

Civil defence: Tel. +34 980 536 190