It is said that its origins date back to the era when Imperial Rome invaded Spain, establishing cities following hard-fought battles, skirmishes, and legendary rebellions.
These, in part, are the origins of Vinuesa—formerly the ancient Roman city of Visontium—situated in the heart of the Celtiberian region of Soria, an area now known by the proud title of Tierra y Corte de Pinares (Land and Court of the Pine Forests).
Its surroundings certainly invite adventure, defined by a striking, picturesque natural landscape, a unique geographical setting that shares both a border and a prominent status with Burgos, another heartland of "Old Castile," as well as with La Rioja, a land no less ancient and legendary.
Perhaps the most remarkable aspect of Vinuesa—that is, the ancient Roman Visontium—is that its architecture remains virtually unchanged since the poet Antonio Machado encountered it during his memorable visit in October 1910.
It was an intense journey; as he wandered these very streets and stayed in the same establishments that still welcome travelers and tourists today, he learned many of the stories—some of which were, paradoxically, quite real—that would inspire some of his most cherished works.
Along these streets, sheltered by the ancient rollo (a stone pillar symbolizing jurisdictional authority and the administration of justice), one can still find the traditional mountain-style architecture that once housed the nomadic merchants known as carreteros (oxcart drivers).
There, too, stand palaces that still bear the ancestral coats of arms of the great lords of the "Twelve Lineages of Soria." Even the church—which, judging by the presence of a Marian carving—the Virgen del Pino (Virgin of the Pine)—was likely Romanesque at some point, counted among its many stonemasons a man named Juan de Naveda. He also worked on that other colossal undertaking: the Monastery of El Escorial, commissioned by King Philip II.
In short, these streets remain virtually unchanged after all these centuries; they still hold many of their hidden, arcane secrets, and their charm—without a doubt—continues to serve as both an invitation to adventure and an open gateway to mystery.
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