Frómista - San Martín

Today Frómista has a population of less than 1000. In previous centuries, Frómista had a significant population that lived from growing wheat.

A church and a Benedictine monastery on this site were first mentioned in the will of Queen Munia Mayor, widow of King Sancho III of Navarre, in 1066. The queen made the monastery and church partial heirs to her fortune. This fortune made possible the construction of a magnificent church, which was built in the last third of the 11th century in a construction period of 15 to 20 years, continuously and without interruption. Close links exist with the Cathedral of Jaca and the Basilica of San Isidoro, the craftsmen appear to have been partly the same.

In 1118, Queen Urraca, a great-granddaughter of Queen Munia, placed the church, monastery and associated settlement, San Martín, under the authority of the monastery of San Zoilo. San Martín thus became the priory of this monastery. Throughout the following Middle Ages, there were constant disputes between the town of Frómista and the monastery of San Zoilo over rights in and to the village of San Martín, which even led to military conflicts. It was not until 1488 that the dispute was settled.

In 1453, a Host miracle occurred in San Martín. The paten used and the host was venerated in the church until the 19th century.

From 1896 to 1904, the church was extensively restored. The restoration, which aimed to recreate a "perfect" Romanesque church, is highly controversial today.

Under the roof, there is a female naked contortionist, a tired-looking monkey, and a dog with a collar.