Nestled in Monasterio de Rodilla, Burgos, the Romanesque Hermitage of Our Lady of the Valley stands on the site of an old defunct monastery. Its construction, dating back to around 1170, was ordered during the tenure of Don Pedro Sánchez as abbot. Although the church cannot be traced back further due to its architectural characteristics, it represents a significant cultural heritage for Castilla y León and is a unique architectural example in the country for its style and characteristics.
The church's architecture is inspired by San Martín de Frómista, reflected in the other Romanesque buildings of the time in Castilla y León. constructed with stone blocks and covers in many cases. The architecture did not reach great height, relying on pillars and columns inside and exterior buttresses for support. The architecture was sober, with a scarcity of decoration and an abundance of thick walls. The church was built by Don Gonzalo, son of Count Rodrigo Gómez de Bureba and Doña Elvira.
King Alfonso VIII of Castile donated lands to Our Lady of the Valley as a tribute for his soul and ancestors. The interior of the Hermitage is simple, with three parts: the interior apse, the cross, and the nave.
Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons
Written by Nik Frost
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