The Order of Santiago, founded in the 12th century, was a Spanish military order named after St. James the Greater, the patron saint of Spain. Known for his missionary work, St. James is credited with bringing Christianity to the Iberian Peninsula. His relics, housed in Santiago de Compostela, became a major pilgrimage attraction as early as in the ninth century.
The Order of Santiago played a crucial role during the Reconquista, when Spain was taken over from the Moors, protecting pilgrims and defending Christian territories from Muslim rule.
Its legacy is thus deeply intertwined with the religious and cultural history of Spain. The Monastery of Santiago de Uclés stands as a testament to this history. Founded by the Order of Santiago, this revered site once served as the Order’s headquarters – the Caput Ordinis.
From fortress to monastery
The monastery’s hilltop location dates back to a Celtiberian castro – a Bronze Age fortress used by the indigenous Celts. But in 893, Al-Fath ben Musa ben Dhi-l-Num established his capital here and fortified the city to protect it from attack. The site was later occupied by Christians in 1085 and became a key military location in the Reconquista.
After the place was secured in 1174, King Alfonso VIII of Castile gave the fortress to the Order of Santiago. The Order turned the fortress into its main stronghold and, after the Reconquista, gradually transformed it to suit its new spiritual purpose.
Construction of the current convent began on May 7, 1529, under Emperor Carlos V. The structure is a mixture of architectural styles: The east wing is Plateresque, later additions are Herrerian, and the final touches are Churrigueresque – these already under Philip V. Stone from the nearby hills was used to enhance its majestic presence.
Trials and triumphs
The convent’s journey through history has been marked by resilience. In 1836, the Order of Santiago was expelled due to the Ecclesiastical Confiscations of Mendizábal. At the beginning of the 20th century, there were plans to repurpose the monastery, but it suffered considerable damage during the Spanish Civil War, when it was used as a hospital and later as a prison.
Despite these trials, the monastery found a new purpose in 1949, housing a minor seminary for the Bishopric of Cuenca.
Declared a National Monument on June 3, 1931, the Monastery of Santiago de Uclés is protected as a site of great cultural interest. In 2003, this protection was extended to its surroundings in order to preserve the sacred and historical essence of the area.
The Monastery of Santiago de Uclés still invites pilgrims and visitors alike to discover Spain’s vast Christian heritage.
