Torres del Rio - Iglesia del Santo Sepulcro

Torres del Rio was known already to Aymeric Picaud, author the Codex Calixtinus. He warned his readers of the treacherous river Linares "near Torres in Navarre". Not only humans, even horses would have died, after having drunk water from that river.

Around 1100 monks from Santa Maria la Real de Irache (25kms east) built a convent here to support the pilgrims. I had come to visit the octogonal Iglesia del Santo Sepulcro, seen here in the center.

Iglesia del Santo Sepulcro was probably built between 1190 and 1220. It is not known, who commissioned this building, inspired probably by the "Church of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem". Just like like Eunate (50 kms east), these octogonal churches are often connected to the Knights Templar, but there is no proof about that.

This church is known for the incredible, awsome vaulting. There may even be parallels to the Mezquita of Cordoba, but - I could not see it. The church was locked! I had missed the opening hours by just a few minutes! All I could do was take some photo from the outside of the church. Here a centaur hunting pretty big birds.