Iglesia de la Vera Cruz

About

Iglesia de la Vera Cruz stands just outside Segovia’s historic centre, rising on a small hill with an unmistakable silhouette. Founded in 1208 and traditionally linked to the Knights Templar, the church is one of Spain’s most intriguing Romanesque monuments. Its unusual dodecagonal floor plan surrounds a central shrine, creating a space filled with symbolism and medieval mystique. The thick stone walls, narrow windows, and austere interior evoke the spiritual atmosphere of early Christian pilgrimage sites. Visitors can explore the central aedicule, thought to have been used for relics or ritual ceremonies, and admire the simplicity that defines the building’s beauty. From the church’s exterior, sweeping views of the Alcázar and the surrounding valleys enhance its sense of solitude and timelessness. Vera Cruz remains a captivating testament to Segovia’s medieval heritage and the enduring legends that surround it.

Segovia Spain

Location

The Iglesia de la Vera Cruz is located in the San Marcos area of Segovia, just outside the historic city centre, on the road to Zamarramala (Carretera de Zamarramala, s/n, 40003 Segovia, Spain) at the foot of the hill leading up to the Alcázar. It stands near the Sanctuary of Our Lady of La Fuencisla and the Monastery of San Juan de la Cruz, a short walk from the main city sights while still within easy reach of the historic centre. The church is only about 1.5 km from the Roman Aqueduct at Plaza del Azoguejo, and is close to the starting point of the path that leads up to the Alcázar, with the city’s tourist office, Plaza Mayor, and the Gothic Cathedral all within a pleasant 15–20 minute walk through Segovia’s old town.