March 20 Free San Juan de la Cruz history tour in Caravaca

St John of the Cross was canonized 300 years ago and made a Doctor of the Church 100 years ago

San Juan de la Cruz (1542-91) was a Catholic priest and mystic and a Carmelite friar who spent various years in Caravaca, which he visited seven times, at times as an envoy of Santa Teresa de Jesús and at other times in his role as head of the Carmelite order in Andalucía. Among his work in the city of Caravaca was overseeing the spirituality of the convent of the barefoot Carmelites, founded by Santa Teresa de Jesús, and the founding of the monastery of the same order under the name of Nuestra Señora del Carmen.

He is known mainly for his mystical writings, which some consider to be among the most important works of all Spanish literature. He was made a saint by Pope Benedict XIII in 1726, and 200 years later Pope Pius XI declared him one of the 38 ”Doctors of the Church”: he is sometimes referred to as the "mystical doctor".

So this year marks the 300^th and 100^th anniversaries of his promotion to the higher ranks of Catholic sanctity, and in acknowledgement of this a free guided tour is being held on Friday 20^th March in which participants will learn more about the time Juan spent in the city of Caravaca. The tour includes the convent he founded and the house where he always stayed when in this part of the world, which is currently being restored by the Town Hall to make in commemoration of his contribution to the importance of the city.

The visit begins at 10.30 at the Templete and is completely free of charge, although prior registration is required through the regional tourist board website here.

For more local events, news and visiting information contact the local tourist office (telephone 968 702424) or go to the home page of Caravaca Today.