The Plaza de San Juan de la Cruz in Caravaca de la Cruz

The square is named after the saint who founded the Convento del Carmen in Caravaca

The Plaza de San Juan de la Cruz is right in the heart of the city of Caravaca, at the eastern end of the Paseo de la Glorieta, or Calle Corredera, outside the convent-church of the Padres Carmelitas which was founded by the man after whom the square is named, and in which he stayed while in Caravaca.

In the centre of the square is a monument to the Saint consisting of a sculpture by Rafael Pi Belda which was created to mark the 400^th anniversary of the Convento del Carmen in 1986. The sculpture depicts a man full of energy and humanity dressed in the typical uniform of the Carmelitas Descalzas order, carrying a stick and with his gaze fixed on the horizon, taking us back to the time when San Juan de la Cruz was a religious pioneer who made it possible for men to take orders as Carmelites.

San Juan de la Cruz was born Juan de Yepes Álvarez in Ávila in 1542, and was known as the “mystic doctor” during his lifetime. This nickname derived from his mystical poetry, but he was also a zealous religious reformer, and co-founded the Order of the Carmelitas Descalzas (the Barefoot Carmelites). He died in Úbeda, in the province of Jaén, in 1591.

John of the Cross, as he is known in English, was named patron saint of poetry in the Spanish language in 1952, having been canonized by Pope Benedict XIII in 1726, and is one of the thirty-six Doctors of the Catholic Church.

His main connection with Caravaca is his role in founding the Convento de Padres Carmelitas Descalzos in 1586, an initiative which was supported by Santa Teresa de Jesús, his fellow religious reformer. This affords Caravaca the rare privilege of being one of the few places to be home to a convent or monastery which was actually founded by the saint to whom it is dedicated.

The square in which the statue stands is a pleasant and leafy area surrounded by attractive buildings, and is a good point at which to take a rest during a stroll around the centre of Caravaca. There is an attractive view along the Glorieta to the west, with the tree-lined avenue leading downhill towards the Templete and the Iglesia de la Purísima Concepción.

Further information about Caravaca is available from the tourist office (Plaza de España, 7, telephone 968 702424, email turismo@caravacadelacruz.es).

Or for more local information, including the Holy Jubilee Year as well as local news and what’s on, go to the home page of Caravaca Today.