The first steps of Saint Dominic of Guzman

The Tower of the Guzmanes belonged to the family of Santo Domingo. It is one of the oldest buildings in Caleruega, whose construction dates back to the eleventh century. It was part of a group of bastions that made up the defensive line on the right bank of the Duero River. It was restored in 2008 to allow access, with the addition of a covered roof on the upper floor. It is notable for a Mozarabic-style twin window on the second floor, as well as for its semicircular openings on the second floor and its crenellated top. Inside there is an exhibition with information about the Order of Preachers and its history. Inside the convent is also the Bodega de la Beata Juana, the scene of the miracle attributed to the mother of Saint Dominic: when she gave wine to the poor, the empty vats were filled again thanks to her prayers. This fact is recalled by an alabaster relief that evokes the miracle, preserved with great symbolic and spiritual value.

The Church of the Dominican Mothers of Caleruega began to be built in 1266 together with the Monastery, by order of King Alfonso X. In 1270 the Dominican Mothers settled there, also receiving the Lordship of Caleruega. The complex occupies the site of the Family House of Santo Domingo de Guzmán, founder of the Order of Preachers, born in Caleruega around 1170 and baptized in the church of San Sebastián, whose baptismal font has been used by the Royal House since 1605. The church, in Gothic style, has a ribbed vault with pointed arches and a choir for ceremonies. At the end of the 16th century it was enlarged with a classicist church, with a semicircular dome in the transept and a 17th century high altar with paintings by Blas de Cervera and a Calvary from the school of Gregorio Fernández. A baroque altarpiece is dedicated to Blessed Juana, mother of Santo Domingo. Under the church is the crypt, with the saint's well, mosaics by Father Iturgaiz and the tomb of Manuel Suárez, as well as the tomb of the biblical scholar Alberto Colunga.

It was ordered to be built by Alfonso X together with the church in 1266 and given to the nuns in 1270 by means of a Privilegio Rodado, still preserved in the monastery's archives. Its cloister stands out, built in several phases. The east side, the oldest, has an early Romanesque style with semicircular arches and capitals decorated with geometric and floral motifs on octagonal shafts. The rest of the cloister was completed in the 15th and 16th centuries with pointed arches and capitals in the Elizabethan style. A second brick floor was added in the 18th century. The monastery houses two museum rooms: one dedicated to the Infanta Leonor, daughter of Alfonso X, who died in 1275 and was transferred to the monastery by order of her father. Fragments of the original tomb, three oak lions and part of her trousseau are preserved. Also on display are documents (facsimiles) such as the Privilegio Rodado and a sculptural group of the Annunciation, where the Virgin appears pregnant, a very rare representation. On the upper floor, the Medieval Room displays various objects from the monastery from the 13th century to the present.