Monasterio de Santa María de Armenteira
It is not hard to imagine how the surroundings of this monastery must have looked a few centuries ago. Like many other Galician monasteries, it was situated in an area covered with vegetation, this time in the small valley of Armenteira, hidden by nature at the foot of the Hill of Castrove. This location was probably chosen because there was an old temple there where hermits went to pray.
The monastery was probably inhabited by monks of the Order of Saint Fructuosus, and then incorporated into the Cistercian Order between 1149 and 1162. The current church was built five years later. One of the most noteworthy elements of the building was a cloister from the 17th century with semicircular arches and a ribbed vault, which was restored in 1969.
The monks experienced a period of decline in the 15th century due to power being taken from them in favour of feudal lords. The monastery became part of the Congregation of Castile in 1523 and it was completely abandoned after the ecclesiastical confiscation laws of 1837.
In the past several years, the monastery has been thoroughly restored. It has been inhabited by a small community of Cistercian nuns since 1989, who made the preservation of the building possible. It also functions as a hotel these days, and the nuns manufacture high-quality soaps made with essential oils which have natural properties provided by aromatic herbs, flowers and plants.
The long entrance gives an idea of the width of the walls. Buttresses outside separate the nave, with pointed arches, and the side aisles, which end in semi-circular apsidal chapels at the east end.
According to the legend, the Virgin Mary appeared in a dream to Ero, a nobleman in the court of King Alfonso VII. He and his wife were unable to have children, and the Virgin told him that building a monastery would end their problem. Then one day he was out thinking about eternity during a walk in the country, and he was captivated by a bird’s song. Once it finished he returned to the monastery, only to realise that he did not recognise the monks there and everyone had been replaced. Apparently two hundred years had passed while he was listening to the bird’s song.
The monastery was probably inhabited by monks of the Order of Saint Fructuosus, and then incorporated into the Cistercian Order between 1149 and 1162. The current church was built five years later. One of the most noteworthy elements of the building was a cloister from the 17th century with semicircular arches and a ribbed vault, which was restored in 1969.
The monks experienced a period of decline in the 15th century due to power being taken from them in favour of feudal lords. The monastery became part of the Congregation of Castile in 1523 and it was completely abandoned after the ecclesiastical confiscation laws of 1837.
In the past several years, the monastery has been thoroughly restored. It has been inhabited by a small community of Cistercian nuns since 1989, who made the preservation of the building possible. It also functions as a hotel these days, and the nuns manufacture high-quality soaps made with essential oils which have natural properties provided by aromatic herbs, flowers and plants.
The long entrance gives an idea of the width of the walls. Buttresses outside separate the nave, with pointed arches, and the side aisles, which end in semi-circular apsidal chapels at the east end.
According to the legend, the Virgin Mary appeared in a dream to Ero, a nobleman in the court of King Alfonso VII. He and his wife were unable to have children, and the Virgin told him that building a monastery would end their problem. Then one day he was out thinking about eternity during a walk in the country, and he was captivated by a bird’s song. Once it finished he returned to the monastery, only to realise that he did not recognise the monks there and everyone had been replaced. Apparently two hundred years had passed while he was listening to the bird’s song.
Access
- Accesos para vehículos privados: Sí
- Accesos a pie: Sí
Services
- Tienda: Sí
- Botiquín: Sí
- Information point: Sí
- Reservas: Sí
Customer service
- Idioma: Castellano, Gallego, Inglés
Guided tours
- Idioma: Castellano, Gallego, Inglés
Features
Responsible body Cistercian Order – Diocese of Santiago de Compostela- Description of the surroundings: Rural
- Abierto festivos: Sí
- En uso: Sí
- Tipología: Convent/monastery
- Propiedad: Private
- Interés Paisajístico: High
Environmental protection status
- Figura de Protección: BIC
Timetables
- Horario de Oficios: Sí
- Horario de apertura desde: Monday
- Horario de apertura hasta: Sunday
- Hora Apertura mañana: 06:30:00
- Hora Cierre mañana: 19:30:00
- : Sí,