San Pedro de Torreviento, Viana, priorato benedictino de Santa María de Nájera [San Pedro de Torreviento, Viana, Benedictine priory of Santa María de Nájera]

Abstract

San Pedro de Torreviento was a Benedictine priory dependent on Santa María la Real of Nájera. It was located on a small hill at the foot whereof Viana was settled, next to the Jews quarter and the Camino de Santiago. It appears to have been founded by King Garcia of Navarre, who in 1052 provided it with large possessions, for the maintenance of this monastery in Nájera. Thanks to the meaningful documentation found, we have been able to study the church, the palace, the mill, the winery and the numerous land holdings chiefly the
Recajo coto redondo. Many of these lands used to be hired for a ground rent to villagers of Viana for the most part. The management and ownership of these lands resulted in long legal battles between the monks and the parish council of Viana and even with the bishops of Calahorra, about the payment of tithes and first fruits.