Monasteries in Spain
Encyclopedia
The monasteries in Spain are a rich historical heritage, arts and culture. Spanish monasteries testify to its religious history and political
-military history
, in both the Middle Ages
and in earlier times, with the arrival and settlement of the Visigoths. The monasteries
played an important role in the recruitment conducted by the various Christian kings and counts during and after the progress of the Reconquista
, with the consequent decline in the Muslim south of the peninsula
.
Their presence in the peninsula dates from the early centuries of Christianity
, when the original hermit
life gave rise to the formation of religious communities and the construction of small monasteries by Hispanics in the sixth and seventh centuries. During stocking, many of these buildings evolved, or were raised from new plant, to a style which traditionally has been called Mozarabic
.
The second phase was developed with the arrival of the Benedictines of Cluny
, and in times of Reconquista and from that moment were evolving or changing, according to the new order: Cistercian, military order
s, Premonstratensian
, Carthusians, Jeromes, Augustinians
, Camaldolese
and beggars. In the seventeenth century there was a hatch or convent
s located near or within the city.
Since the current Catalonia
to Galicia were appearing monastic ensembles of various sizes that would become a most important buildings and be consistent and other abandoned or destroyed. Most of the monasteries in Spain
are distributed in the northern half in line with the historical discourse of the zone in the Middle Ages. Monasteries are much less numerous in the south, Andalusia
and the Canary Islands
.
The establishment of monasteries during the Middle Ages was paramount from a socially and culturally as well as for restocking. Was a breakthrough in agriculture
and settlements emerged around large buildings. Also benefited the art and culture.
Another important factor to consider for the construction of monasteries in Spain was the Camino de Santiago, along which these religious institutions were emerging whose main objective was to help the pilgrim
s.
of the Monastery of Cabrera
. At 410, the monk Baquiario first used the word monastery in a text written in Hispania
. He as a monk
and Egeria or as a nun
Etheria (perhaps more properly a consecrated virgin
) would be the first Hispanic monks known name.
The first monasteries arose in the fourth century and were humble buildings erected in the shadow of shrines or graves of local martyr
s dear. Many of these monasteries were troglodytes, as hermits or recluses (the first monks) preferred to live in caves as shelter outfitted or oratory. Such is the origin of the monastery of San Millán de la Cogolla, which preserves both the cave where the saint lived Millan (saint) Aemilianus
or Millán which served as the chapel. In the caves of his disciples living environment. The practice of living alone away from the world was transformed by the group of monks in monasteries, although they lived in community, maintained their practice ascetic
, and location in a remote place (in desert).
The quantitative success of monasticism
in the Visigothic period led to quite a few clashes with the secular clergy, and their dispute came to the Councils of Toledo
. Much of this came from the social and economic benefits that provided the privileges of the monastic life. In some cases, as in the area of El Bierzo
monasteries were created whole families welcomed as Compludo and Ruphianensi Monasterium that were foundations Fructuoso (and have come to call the Thebaid berciana), which had more the appearance of real villages. In other areas, such as Andalusia, monasteries were not mixed and separated by sex. Some sources also attributed to the more extreme features of the hermit movement, especially in areas such as Burgos
, Álava
and Logroño
, features of social protest in parallel with other religious movements as heresy Priscillianist
, which survived in some areas (Galicia) to the sixth century.
In the following centuries the monasteries emerged Hispanic recruitment and monasteries, with its own characteristics into a necessity and an art purely Hispanic. In the Romanesque
and the arrival of the monks of Cluny ( XI century ), the order of St. Benedict
and observers of their rule, the monastery complex took new shape and it was most important and influential. Came the quintessential faculty and buildings that were erected were of great proportions. Many of these groups have survived to this day (year 2007 ) better or worse, although many of them serve for other uses unrelated to monasticism. The political role of Cluny and its link with the monarchy
and noble houses was decisive for the Europeanization of the Christian kingdoms of the mainland and the formation of feudal society. With regard to social and economic role of the Benedictine monasteries, interpretations materialistic classic-for that would be a feudal lord over, are being tempered by the recent historiography
, the study of many more aspects such as inclusion in client networks more complex and functions of all kinds (ideological, legal, institutional ...), using the methodology of cultural anthropology
and microhistory
.
Following the momentum of Cluny Cistercian arrived with new factories and its amendments, and the Carthusians, and in the thirteenth century the Franciscan
s and Dominicans
, which would be added Premonstratensian and Jesuits . Of these samples are kept quite monastic. During the XVI and XVII were numerous monasteries and convents for women.
Monastery of the Valley of the Fallen.
Recent monasteries founded and built in Spain were:
s, bishop
s and nobles
. The reasons for any of them to found a monastery could be their own interest, in order to reserve a burial
there, which would mean perpetual monks pray for the salvation of his soul, or for giving shelter to a princess
, widow
, unmarried or bastard
, in the case of kings. Sometimes the reason for founding or protection of a particular monastery for political reasons or due to war and many of them were located in border areas of Castile and León
or Navarre
, as was the case Matallana monastery (in the Valladolid
), located on the border Castilian-Leonese, or the Castilian border Bujedo-Navarre. The bishops also had great interest in building a monastery on which to exercise their authority, especially in the period feudal territory and which guaranteed income, the nobility had a desire for the salvation of his soul and his family, plus show how much political influence and great power by sponsoring one of these great works. The monastic vows (poverty, chastity and obedience) were particularly suitable monastic fate of younger sons, regardless of the sincerity or otherwise of his vocation
, which thus did not dispute the inheritance of the firstborn, holding undivided estates (institution of primogeniture
). This close identification between the clergy and nobility, both privileged classes, survived as a phenomenon of long duration during the Middle Ages and the Modern Age
to the end of the ancien regime.
Other monasteries that arise by themselves, from a chapel around which a community is formed. This is the case of the monastery of San Juan de Ortega
which originally was a humble chapel founded by the saint to save the relics of St. Nicholas of Bari and the arrival of more people to look after the place was the formation of a community with the need to lift the grounds of a monastery. Or from hermits, in some cases doubling, that were left to be guided by any rule, as the Royal Monastery of Santa María de Vallbona
(Vallbona de les Monges
), the monastery of Santo Domingo de Ocaña (Toledo
) of the century XVI has the distinction of being founded by a neighbor who wanted to be close to the preachers.
There are recent foundations (of the twentieth century) whose fate is very clear from the outset, as is the monastery or house of spirituality of the Dominican Fathers of Caleruega (Burgos), 1952, destined for the convent-school-house of spirituality. In the field of education
can also include the Monastery of Our Lady of the Angels of Palma de Mallorca
, in 1914, conceived as a major seminary
, Novitiate House, Ecumenical Centre College and routinely providing Evangelical Protestants Lutheran Germans.
Some sources consider the Monastery of St. Victorian of Asan (Asan
, Sobrarbe
, Huesca province
) as the first monastery founded in Spain, but more likely, given the existence of references to previous monasteries, which can be said is safer be the first real initiative foundation: the Visigoth king Gesalec
in 506. Others were due to the Swabia
ns in the northwest, with the activity of San Martín de Dumio, from Pannonia
. Other founding saints like San Donato
, came from Africa Játiva. San Fructuoso de Braga, in the early seventh century founded the monastery of Compludo and twenty other foundations from Galicia to Andalusia. During the same century, San Leandro and his brother St. Isidore composed their own monastic rules.
Morphologically, in monasteries Hispanics are clearly distinguished two concepts:
The cloister was an envelope that isolated and protected the monastery building, which is very important to the religious life that was intended to cultivate. In one chapter of San Isidoro rule states:
"The mill
of the monastery on its premises only have one door and one wicket
to leave the garden."
Then advised that the city is far and above all respect for the closure. This suggests to build an enclosure or wall to the monastic and other including the garden. This first is called monastic enclosure or cloister.
The second concept is referred to the domus, i.e. the group of houses which constitute the monastery. Within the domus, the documents refer to two different places: domus domorum, i.e. the ultimate home, or church, and maior domus, which is the flag of monks and served as a bedroom
and use of life community. According to the comments that remain, the maior domus should be a dependency of high architectural quality and large size, that used to stand next to the church, at the height of the atrium
.
In the whole domus other units were also necessary as the cilla, nursing
, the punishment cell, the novitiate
, the goal, etc. What centuries later (in the order of the Benedictines) chapter house
will be called in these monasteries Hispanics called conference room. Much is said about this space and its utility in documents but do not know for certain where it was located. It is known that minor issues monks gathered in the choir.
The documentation on the monasteries Hispanics is quite abundant and descriptive. However, only some monastic churches have been preserved, the rest of the site is lost and the few archaeological investigations there are no conclusive results.
s, attached to their land.
The monks who were raising this kind of monastery came from both the South (especially Cordoba, at a time of persecution of Christians
in that city) and the North, giving each other the influences of place of origin, but without forgetting the traditional Spanish-Gothic
forms. The architectural heritage survived almost two centuries despite the abandonment will be restored by these people repopulating. The lands of the Douro Valley will witness the revival of architecture over the centuries neovisigótica X and XI, while the Catalan lands enter the year 1000 in the first Romanesque. Such is the witness given the small churches, the only remains of the monasteries of that period that have survived until today (2008).
Many of these religious buildings are old buildings that take advantage of the Visigothic period, and also mosque
s, especially in Aragon
first and, later, Andalusia.
and ornamentation.
Materials. The main ones are the rubble
, the stone and wood. The walls are raised either in masonry or in large rows of stones squared. The latter is typical of places with nearby quarries. Where there is a slate
is often used this material. The masonry
work, in many cases reinforce the corners and window openings with large stones well crafted.
Vaults, roofs, arches and columns. The trend and the ideal of the builders was to cover all the spaces with stone barrel vault
, but could not always do so, in some cases by the high cost of the work, other technical difficulties. Very few monuments managed to cover all areas vault, vaulting normal being only the apse
s and cover the rest of the ships with wooden frame. However, in small churches sought to vaulting but poor materials were used stone tuff
mixed with brick and masonry.
The profile of the guns of the vaults horseshoe arch
was in the tradition of Asturian architecture (with ancestry in the Visigothic art) and in some cases following the influence of the Mozarabic Cordoba. The major influence on these buildings Cordoba art is manifested in the ribbed vaults.
Santiago de Peñalba
. Example of Mozarabic and alfiz
arches.
The arch is the most widely used horseshoe that coexists with that of half a point . The Moorish horseshoe arch differs from the Spaniard and the Islamic cannot be (close to ² / ³ of the radio). Sometimes that cannot changes in the same building, as in San Miguel de Escalada.
The columns are always taken advantage of other buildings, usually Romans
. Its discovery by the builders, ownership and carry is a fact and the usual great convenience. Sometimes come from places far from their final destination. Many of the capitals are also reused, those developed specifically for the building following a Corinthian
tradition of drawing the characteristic necking stranded (such as wreathed Asturias).
As for ornamental sculpture, did not reach a great development. Eaves
, very frilly, were heavily decorated, and the openings of the windows filled with beautiful stone lattices. Many times the doors and windows were framed with alfiz. But there are very many entries as a decoration paramental, they are of all kinds; funeral, consecration, foundation, etc. Are written in good handwriting and on the basis of good material, usually marble
.
was always finishing building. A church was not considered completed if the walls were painted both inside and outside. A few traces of paint have been preserved over the centuries since, on one hand is the least resistant decorative element over time and secondly, the architects of the nineteenth century restorers became a fashion makeover, respecting only in some cases the lack of mural history. If the exterior was plastered were scraped to bring up the stone
or brick
or masonry. This trend continued throughout the twentieth century and continues into the twenty-first century.
Buildings are covered for with a certain tone and then gave different colors on different details (arches, moldings, capitals, imposts). It is known that the Church of Santiago de Peñalba had a red painted base, 73 cm in height, both outside and inside.
), one of the most important priories in the service of the Cluniac monastery of Sahagún
.
In Catalonia, the abbot Oliba had a great relationship with the Abbey of Cluny
, but it went from being a spiritual type of relationship without any legal ties whatsoever. Via this abbot, King Sancho III of Navarre
established relations with the abbot St. Odilon de Cluny
and the immediate consequences was put in front of the monastery of San Juan de la Peña from an abbot of Cluny in the year 1028. From this fact, the influence spread Cluniac monasteries that were in the domains of Sancho III. The spiritual connection and relationship with the Abbey of Cluny continues with the descendants of Sancho III until the reign of King Alfonso VI with whom the relationship moves from being purely spiritual and sympathy to have economic ties and a big influence political and religious. The monastery of Sahagún in León
was of great importance and authority, the biggest propagator of the Cluniac observance. Alfonso VI became the center of Cluny and became its protector. It was called "The Spanish Cluny, the abbey being more powerful of the kingdoms of León and Castile, which depended almost 100 monasteries. He was owner of the land ranging from the Cantabrian Sea to the River Duero. As for its cultural aspect was the most important center of what is now Spain in the eleventh and twelfth centuries.
(Zamora) was the first Cistercian enclave in the territory of the Iberian Peninsula
, founded in 1133 in the reign of Alfonso VII, followed by the Fitero (1140), Santa María de Sobrado, 1142, (in Sobrado dos Monxes, La Coruña) and the monastery of Poblet
(1150) in Catalonia, sponsored by Count Ramón Berenguer IV of Barcelona
and was part of the great Cistercian abbeys group consisting of Clairvaux
(in the valley of Absinthe, France
), the Great Forest (in Languedoc
), Fontfreda (near Narbonne
) and Poblet. The first monastery for women was that of Santa Maria de la Caridad in Tulebras
(Navarra). From this monastery the nuns departed founders of the monasteries of Perales
(Palencia
), of Gradefes
, Cañas (La Rioja
), Trasobares
in Zaragoza
, Vallbona, Lleida
and Las Huelgas in Burgos. Cistercian monasteries, both female and male, have multiplied throughout the geography of the peninsula.
(also called preachers) are the new order that emerged in the early thirteenth century the name of Dominicans and Franciscans. Emerged as a spiritual response and necessary in a time of new monastic orders had relaxed the norms and behavior. Proposes a novel mode of action based on direct action toward the faithful and the organizational system that was based on division by provinces.
The convents and monasteries of these monks were always very close to the city or within it. Also on the roads (especially in the Camino de Santiago) where care and love offered to travelers.
The monastic complex of buildings is in keeping with the model of the monastery as usual, but offers in most cases some differences according to the needs and the work of these monks. Many of the building foundations were made donations of houses more or less adapted to life in community. The churches were newly built (or in some cases extending some existing chapel
or shrine
), with its own characteristics. One of the main requirements when building was sound, as the sermons and talks with the faithful were common practice. Almost always, the church was divided into two parts, one for the masses and another for the closing of monks. These churches did not provide a unique style but adapted to the current fashion and geographical needs. Another feature was the small number of chapels in the header, in contrast to the Cistercian churches. This is because the rules are not obliged to say daily Mass each monk, quite the contrary. Francis of Assisi
said in the General Chapter "In places where the monks dwell be held one Mass a day [...] but if somewhere has many priests, with a love of charity is happy listening to the mass of the other."
In terms of construction materials is characterized by poor, with little severe facade sculptures usually polygonal apse and large windows open it. Adapted and assimilated techniques and building traditions of the place to establish the new foundation, which is why churches can vary depending on geographic location. In Spain there were two models: buildings with a Latin cross and buildings with a single nave
with chapels between buttress
es.
In Navarre there was a proliferation of mendicant convents during the reign of Champagne, especially with Theobald II
was defined as chief patron and protector. In Castilla y León were many convents but most arrived in the XXI century badly damaged.
achieved a great importance.These monasteries had their origin in the monasteries turned into family homes where whole families decided to benefit from religious rules and form a monastic community whose members spent the rest of your days without leaving the house. It was a kind of exalted fashion and the time came to commit such mistakes and excesses on many occasions received serious warnings and reprimands by the religious leaders. It was even writing a text called Regula Communis 30 especially designed for this type of monasteries. This rule also made it very clear reforming the architectural aspect that should be: all spaces should be double for the female community was separated from the male, could only share the chapter, but it should still occupy separate spaces. As for the bedrooms, not only ordered that they were separated but well away from each other.
At one point these monasteries came to be officially removed, but still, in the twelfth century, calls tuquinegras 31 nuns lived in their monasteries with a large number of monks, men who were supposed to protect and who were known by the name of milites. No buildings have been preserved these monasteries but some of their churches.
, headquarters of the Order of Calatrava
was founded by the Abbot of Fitero called Raymond, at the behest of King Sancho III of Castile, to protect the area restored to the Muslim
s. Some orders as Santiago, Temple and Holy Sepulchre devoted much of its efforts to protect and care for pilgrims on the Camino de Santiago.
were emerging many monasteries, some have disappeared altogether. Most characteristic for the care of the pilgrims were 32 hospital
s or hospice
s governed by a small community of monks belonging to different orders, but many of the monasteries of this route have also attached their own hospitals. Here is a list of the most important monasteries of this route:
in this institution is one of the characteristics of the Spanish monastery. 36
Entrance to the royal monastery-palace at Tordesillas
, the back facade of the Royal Palace of Peter the Cruel.
Sometimes built palaces and monasteries became real volition. Such is the case of Tordesillas, Miraflores and Paular. In other examples the case that the monastery offers a palatial residence to the king or the nobility in the days when they are forced to travel for matters relating to their own Reconquista or the fact on the roaming of the courts of Castile and Aragon. In some monasteries the palatial residence is reached to stable, so building a new building inside the compound, as in the monasteries of Poblet, Carracedo and Yuste
. The monastery of El Escorial
was conceived from the beginning with a specific architecture to house the monks and the king and his court.
s of royal families or gentlemen of the nobility. To this end, the promoters made large donations of land, money and men. Keep in mind that during the Middle Ages and the Renaissance
was considered of vital importance that the monks in their prayers keep the memory of the dead buried near them (in churches, cloisters, cemeteries), and not only consider this important for the salvation of souls but as vanitas perpetual reminder to future generations how important they were. Among the great monasteries seen as noble or royal mausoleum
s are distinguished:
Among the monasteries, cemeteries and burial of the family of the nobility, there are:
and school
education, of concern to the community. The agencies and the religious way of life no different from other monasteries, only different working hours because instead of cultivating the land, their work is channeled to education and education. Examples of such monastery is the Convent of Santo Domingo as the University of Orihuela (known as the Colegio de Santo Domingo) and the convent of San Esteban de Murcia.
The major universities (University of Salamanca
, Universidad de Valladolid and University of Alcalá
) were closely linked to the regular clergy by religious orders who controlled their schools, mostly Dominicans and Augustinians, the Jesuits were added from the first century XVI. In university towns were important monastic or conventual foundations, such as the Dominican Convent of San Esteban de Salamanca.
s.
Although essentially no distance themselves from traditional monasteries have their own architectural characteristics. The buildings are not in most cases surrounded by a wall or fence that isolates, being the only walls that rise to the garden
or orchard
. The windows look out onto the streets of the city so it is necessary to protect the ends with a closing blinds. Citizens have direct access to the building of the church and inside it only makes a closing paragraph for the religious (monks or nuns). Inside the church, the pulpit
becomes a very important element because these congregations have as main goal to instruct and speak directly to the faithful.
Barefoot Royals around Valladolid
Female convents there are other elements that characterize them, as the existence of a lathe, the only element of contact with the outside from the goal and the fact the church building (sometimes) a high choir and a choir under the feet or a choir under the side of the chancel
, communion rail fitted with iron bars.
Most of these urban monasteries proliferated during the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries throughout the Spanish territory.
Many of the Hispanic monasteries were abandoned, forgotten and lost, some even in historical memory. The medieval monasteries were maintained, although some were plundering and burning, to recover from these tragedies with new reconstructions.
The nineteenth century was crucial for the conservation of these monastic buildings. The Spanish War of Independence brought many calamities, being chosen these places for quartering and provisioning of French troops and in some cases the churches were turned into stables or kitchens. Were fired for heating and cooking, with subsequent consequences. Many of the tombs were desecrated in search of possible treasures or for the mere pleasure of destroying, apart from robbery
and theft
of works of art that carries the special atmosphere of a war. In some cases, the destruction was deliberately planned with a goal of social transformation
: this was the case of demolishing 37 convents in Madrid
and the convent of San Francisco (Valladolid).
Ruinas del Monasterio de San Pedro de Arlanza.
After years of peace, building restoration and recovery of scattered pieces, monasteries were again involved in the events of the Carlist Wars
, the identification of the Carlist and the clergy, most notably the burning of convents 1835, which included a massacre
of monks. Finally, in this century, the various confiscation
s ended with the heritage of most medieval monasteries. Many of their churches were spared because they became parishes who took a new life. In some cases, other provincial institutions and individuals came forward to museums where you can keep coming up with artistic pieces rescued, including parts of its architecture. The monastic ruins went on to become a commonplace of romanticism
, and poets and musicians seeking inspiration in them. They are outstanding stays Fryderyk Chopin and George Sand
in the Cartuja de Valldemossa
secularized (Mallorca
) and Gustavo Adolfo Bécquer
brothers and Domínguez Valeriano Becquer in the Cistercian Monastery Veruela (Zaragoza).
In the last quarter of the nineteenth century, with the Restoration, there was a political climate
more favorable to the founding of new religious orders and the restoration of the old, and some monasteries were able to revive the monastic life.
In the first third of the twentieth century, curled the political and social critical junctures, came back to light the old Spanish anticlericalism in time as the Tragic Week in Barcelona in 1909. In 1910, the Law of the lock that prevented the establishment of new religious congregations. In 1931, shortly after the proclamation of the Second Spanish Republic
was a new burning of convents, but much more serious was the destruction during the Spanish Civil War
, with thousands of victims among the clergy.
In the last quarter century, both the Spanish state and private estates (Savings Banks, Associations, Trusts, etc..) Became aware of the great ruined monastic heritage was lost, great buildings abandoned or poorly maintained but still remained standing part of its architecture
and began the quest to give them a meaning and relevance, such as rehabilitation for museum
s, cultural centers, schools or farm foremen, etc. 38
. The monks of Cluny spread throughout Europe
and founded the monasteries whose architectural structure would henceforth be an example to follow, with minor variations in some monastic orders. 39 In a general way and taking into account possible differences can be described briefly the parts of the Spanish monastery complex.
s and the well
which is usually open in the center or side of the courtyard.
On the walls appears repeatedly image of the patron saint
of the warrant or the title holder of the church. 40 Sometimes the title is kept original foundation of the monastery and sometimes switches to receive the relics of a saint local or foreign.
As abundant sculptural decoration shields among them are those of the monastic order as appropriate, those of kings or noble founders or sponsors, bishop
s (where applicable) and the arms of the city. It is also common to see figures representing the founder.
An important addition is the tower or steeple whose bell simple act as municipal clock. The language of the bells was very important during the Middle Ages and Renaissance as well as representing the time was the town crier announcing events. 41
, especially in regard to the chorus, vestries
and penitential cells. In all other respects follow the same rules and practice space is dedicated to the liturgy
, with the center of spiritual life and religious communities.
Always oriented to the east, like other Christian churches (except in cases where the place names force a placement). Its plan is a Latin cross transept
and apse
or apses. They usually have three gates: the main foot, which gives access to outdoor and open one of the side walls to give way to the cloister (with exclusive use of the monks) and a third located in the crossing, which leads to sacristy.
s simply placed in small spaces due to the requirement that the monks had to say daily Mass each. However, in the women's monasteries there is no such need because there is only one chaplain
for the entire community. This reasoning applies to the sacristy
, which are very spacious in the monasteries and that they both are of various officiating.
, allegories
, genre scenes, etc. In the center of the choir is called lectern furniture that supports the great liturgical choral music book, written in large characters that can be read from afar by the monks. On one side is the national musical instrument par excellence.
"De profundis ad te Dominum clamavi ..."
Psalm 130
(129)
were created gardens of herbs or garden shop. The monastery was so self supplied to the chapter on health. In some cases it was necessary to create a pharmacy even greater than might meet the needs required by the town or village that had grown up around the monastery. So it was with the pharmacy of the monastery of Santo Domingo de Silos, which was founded in 1705 at the request of the town of Silos
. It became a famous chemist and recognized in the region and today (year 2007) is quite well preserved and displayed as a museum and as an example and study of what was a monastic pharmacy. Has the particularity to preserve a collection of jars produced in Talavera de la Reina, especially for the center, with the coat of arms of the monastery.
Of aromatic gardens cultivated by the monks is known to have written many of them. In the monastery of Santa Maria de Matallana in the province of Valladolid, after the reconstruction of the ruins were recovered space that monks had been devoted to this garden, growing plants that are known to have been in that spot. Another major pharmacy was the monastery of San Julián de Samos in the province of Lugo
, still shows up as a museum. 43
The apothecaries
were served by the monks themselves specialized. They carried out all relevant tasks for the manufacture of medicine
s, ointments, and spirits both medicinal and otherwise. In many of these pharmacies are conserved among other tools, the stills used for distillation
.
, in a collection and well set, furnished with benches, desks and shelves and equipped with pens, parchment, inks and other tools needed for writing and painting miniatures. 44 Judging by the illuminated manuscripts preserved in Catalonia is suspected that the number of monasteries with desks should be abundant. The Royal Monastery of Santa María de Vallbona had an important desk where they came from large specimens. Also, his library was very famous.
In the monastery of Montserrat
there is a good library in spite of the vicissitudes of wars and fires, which has 400 incunabula. From the Desk of Real Monasterio de Nuestra Senora de Rueda
in Aragon still retains its space.
Other library to take into account was that of Santa María de Huerta
, Soria whose salon was built in the twelfth century and decorated in the XVII. In the monastery of Valvanera endures even its rich library where records are kept speaking of a specimen that had the Polyglot Bible Valvanera, Philip II
took him to El Escorial
and destroyed in a fire there. In Galicia, the famous monastery of San Julián de Samos had a great library that was burned in a fire in the late twentieth century. Famous and rich is also the library of El Escorial.
) and face down. The abbots were buried in the chapter.
, large or small. Is the supply for subsistence, and it was treated with great care. The large monasteries had large gardens with all kinds of facilities, from fountains, canal
s and wells. In some minor orders convents were often built small chapels or oratories
where the monks came for the times to do penance and spiritual retreat.
Sometimes inn
s were built outside the closure area. Over time and with the growing authority of the abbot was wont to build their own house, where he received the important sights.
In large monasteries had supply not only for subsistence but for a strong economy, had all kinds workshops, foundries, mills, potteries, wineries, etc.
Since its inception the foundations of the monasteries tried to get the house out of the more austere
, without admitting any external signs of wealth. But maintaining this position was virtually impossible because of the willingness of lay founders, sponsors and donors that their gifts considered as something very special that was to prove their place in society, power, or simply your good taste. On the other hand, burials chosen by these characters and themselves constituted a show of luxury and artistic value. For all these monasteries were built up over the centuries a rich heritage in art, the show could not escape even the Carthusian Order, considered the most strict and hard. 46
In the Renaissance and Baroque period were built the great altar of the chapel and the other smaller chapels, following the new concept of post-Counter liturgical life. Thus arose the sculptor altarpieces as Damián Forment
in the monastery of Poblet, which resulted from spending so high that led to the revolt of the monks against the abbot. 47 Another example of a huge altarpiece was in the monastery of San Benito el Real de Valladolid, a masterpiece of Berruguete Alonso
, whose lengths are kept at present (2007) at the National Museum of Sculpture in the city.
The vestries were particularly enriched not only with the necessary furniture but adorned with works of famous painters, usually surrounded with valuable frames. Also on the walls of the churches or cloisters or stairs and hallways of the buildings hung paintings of kings or nobility ordered from his favorite painters to enrich their patronage. 48
Are still numerous liturgical pieces, large pieces of jewelry, which are stored in many monasteries displayed in glass cases and suits textile items, vestments and other garments. Some monasteries are by themselves a veritable museum of art, like the Royal Barefoot Madrid. Others have opened up within its walls (taking advantage of old farms) where to place a museum and recovered missing pieces, such is the case of Poblet whose museum occupies the area that was the Palace of King Martin the Humane in Poblet. As for the treasure that is the preservation of valuable books, and reference is made in the Library section.
. Protected and promoted by King Alfonso VI which, among other privileges granted to preserve the protected Urraca also gave him the right to carve its own currency and favored by King Alfonso VII who donates the Jews of the town in as vassals. Its heritage spanning over part of the provinces of León, Valladolid, Palencia, Zamora
and Cantabria, thus counting with a huge number of subjects under their jurisdiction, much more numerous than those who had some key people at the time. From the religious point of view, Sahagun was the center were officially launched for the first time (at the behest of Pope Gregory VII) the new Roman liturgy in place of the old Spanish Mozarabic Rite
. 49 The father and the father Yepes Sandoval come to list 50 to 60 monasteries and a large number of churches depended Sahagún. Besides his influence came from Toledo and from Cantabria Rioja to Galicia.
, and once again had taken the relaxation in the customs of the black monks forgetting the strict rule San Benito went so far as to sleep outside the monasteries. Here was introduced an exemplary religious life under the rule of St. Benedict. The closure was the property of the monastery, not only from the standpoint of physical and spiritual, but double gate was installed in the openings. Since the principle was established with toughness and authority perpetual abstinence, fasting, daily habits and severity in the rooms, generosity to the needy at the time of sharing food, money and fuel. The example of this monastery Valladolid soon ensued during the fifteenth century and the reform under various Benedictine monasteries became dependent on it Valladolid, to the extent that did the Congregation of San Benito de Valladolid, after the bull of Pope Alexander VI
. To this end, there were a large number of general chapters were drafted the relevant constitutions.
with Clairvaux (in the valley of Absinthe, France), the Great Forest (in Languedoc), Fontfreda (near Narbonne). In 1340 Peter sent Ceremonioso create the royal pantheon and nobility, which became an important center for burial. The abbots of Poblet became very powerful part of the clergy who had power in Parliament
. There was even some abbot who became president of the Generalitat. The involvement of the abbots in Catalan wars became apparent.
, in Huelva province. This was an important place in the history of Spain since its closure in the long conversations took place between the friars and Fray Antonio de Marchena Friar Juan Perez and Colon during the four visits he made. The monks helped and supported to Columbus to the Catholic Monarchs. It lies on the route called Columbian sites. 51
to the Americas. Especially in Mexico is a great veneration.
The monastery is a place of pilgrimage known historical figures who passed through it as pilgrims: Christopher Columbus
, Hernan Cortes
, King Sebastian of Portugal
, Teresa de Jesus Buenfil, Lope de Vega
and Pope John Paul II
(in 1982.)
, receives from the eighth century a relic of the True Cross
(supposedly the largest fragment preserved). At the same time the monk Beatus of Liébana
wrote two works of great significance: the Commentary on Revelation (of which several copies are preserved valuable illustrations) and the refutation of heresy that had spread adoptionist between Mozarabic Christians under Muslim occupation (Elipando
bishop of Toledo). Regularly celebrates a Jubilee or Holy Year Lebaniego.
, under the patronage of Alfonso III and located 43 km northeast of Zamora. The excavations brought to light tower two columns and an arch that led to the lower room of the tower. In this tower was the scriptorium where the monk finished Emeterio illuminate the Beatus miniatures Tabara, initiated by his master magic. Emeterio himself writes the following account:
"Oh Tábara tower, high tower of stone! It's there in the top and into the first room of the library, where sat Emeterio and hunched over his homework, over 3 months, and all the members crippled by the work of the pen. 52 was finished this book 6 of the Kalends of August, the year 1008 was Hispanic, 53 to the facet hour."
This comment along with a drawing which shows the place of work in the tower have been highly valued for giving a very good idea of how such work was in the monasteries.
Acim Pedroso (Cáceres (province)
) in 1557, was considered the world's smallest. Subsequently extended, retaining the original area under the name of the convent. In a tiny space, were built several pieces: a chapel for the offices where the officiant and could only be an acolyte, and attached the founder cell, 55 which describes Santa Teresa de Jesús this way:
It seems they were forty years, he told me he had slept one hour and a half between night and day, and it was the greatest work of penance that had in the early to beat the dream and it was always or kneeling or standing . I was sitting and sleeping head leaning against a maderillo he had driven into the wall. Lying, even if I wanted, I could not because his cell as we know, was not longer than four feet and a half.
in Madrid, led in the years of building a great social impact, not only by the vast proportion of the work but by its construction 57 and the fate that was to give the burial. 58
Also many of these medieval monasteries have regained their original function and survive as a community of monks or nuns. In the absence of patronage and custom or donations, these religious adapt to modern life with modern media and subsist on the work undertaken by its members: confectionery, wine and spirits, cheese, small gardening, hives, poultry farms, workshops, garment, lingerie shops, wedding equipment, binding of all kinds, cosmetics, laundry, ironing, mending art, embroidery, writing scores, dissertations, obituaries, from an advanced computer, 59 pottery of all kinds, decorated white porcelain, custom food, farming, vestments, for consecrating ways, caring for sick and elderly, schools and daycare.
In addition, about 250 monasteries have a guest house for lay people who must follow some basic rules, with minimal cost.
Political history
Political history is the narrative and analysis of political events, ideas, movements, and leaders. It is distinct from, but related to, other fields of history such as Diplomatic history, social history, economic history, and military history, as well as constitutional history and public...
-military history
Military history
Military history is a humanities discipline within the scope of general historical recording of armed conflict in the history of humanity, and its impact on the societies, their cultures, economies and changing intra and international relationships....
, in both the Middle Ages
Middle Ages
The Middle Ages is a periodization of European history from the 5th century to the 15th century. The Middle Ages follows the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476 and precedes the Early Modern Era. It is the middle period of a three-period division of Western history: Classic, Medieval and Modern...
and in earlier times, with the arrival and settlement of the Visigoths. The monasteries
Monastery
Monastery denotes the building, or complex of buildings, that houses a room reserved for prayer as well as the domestic quarters and workplace of monastics, whether monks or nuns, and whether living in community or alone .Monasteries may vary greatly in size – a small dwelling accommodating only...
played an important role in the recruitment conducted by the various Christian kings and counts during and after the progress of the Reconquista
Reconquista
The Reconquista was a period of almost 800 years in the Middle Ages during which several Christian kingdoms succeeded in retaking the Muslim-controlled areas of the Iberian Peninsula broadly known as Al-Andalus...
, with the consequent decline in the Muslim south of the peninsula
Peninsula
A peninsula is a piece of land that is bordered by water on three sides but connected to mainland. In many Germanic and Celtic languages and also in Baltic, Slavic and Hungarian, peninsulas are called "half-islands"....
.
Their presence in the peninsula dates from the early centuries of Christianity
Christianity
Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in canonical gospels and other New Testament writings...
, when the original hermit
Hermit
A hermit is a person who lives, to some degree, in seclusion from society.In Christianity, the term was originally applied to a Christian who lives the eremitic life out of a religious conviction, namely the Desert Theology of the Old Testament .In the...
life gave rise to the formation of religious communities and the construction of small monasteries by Hispanics in the sixth and seventh centuries. During stocking, many of these buildings evolved, or were raised from new plant, to a style which traditionally has been called Mozarabic
Mozarabic art and architecture
Mozarabic Art refers to art of Mozarabs , Iberian Christians living in Al-Andalus, the Muslim conquered territories in the period that comprises from the Arab invasion of the Iberian Peninsula to the end of the 11th century, adopted some Arab customs without converting to Islam, preserving their...
.
The second phase was developed with the arrival of the Benedictines of Cluny
Cluny Abbey
Cluny Abbey is a Benedictine monastery in Cluny, Saône-et-Loire, France. It was built in the Romanesque style, with three churches built in succession from the 10th to the early 12th centuries....
, and in times of Reconquista and from that moment were evolving or changing, according to the new order: Cistercian, military order
Military order
A military order is a Christian society of knights that was founded for crusading, i.e. propagating or defending the faith , either in the Holy Land or against Islam or pagans in Europe...
s, Premonstratensian
Premonstratensian
The Order of Canons Regular of Prémontré, also known as the Premonstratensians, the Norbertines, or in Britain and Ireland as the White Canons , are a Catholic religious order of canons regular founded at Prémontré near Laon in 1120 by Saint Norbert, who later became Archbishop of Magdeburg...
, Carthusians, Jeromes, Augustinians
Augustinians
The term Augustinians, named after Saint Augustine of Hippo , applies to two separate and unrelated types of Catholic religious orders:...
, Camaldolese
Camaldolese
The Camaldolese monks and nuns are part of the Benedictine family of monastic communities which follow the way of life outlined in the Rule of St. Benedict, written in the 6th century...
and beggars. In the seventeenth century there was a hatch or convent
Convent
A convent is either a community of priests, religious brothers, religious sisters, or nuns, or the building used by the community, particularly in the Roman Catholic Church and in the Anglican Communion...
s located near or within the city.
Since the current Catalonia
Catalonia
Catalonia is an autonomous community in northeastern Spain, with the official status of a "nationality" of Spain. Catalonia comprises four provinces: Barcelona, Girona, Lleida, and Tarragona. Its capital and largest city is Barcelona. Catalonia covers an area of 32,114 km² and has an...
to Galicia were appearing monastic ensembles of various sizes that would become a most important buildings and be consistent and other abandoned or destroyed. Most of the monasteries in Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
are distributed in the northern half in line with the historical discourse of the zone in the Middle Ages. Monasteries are much less numerous in the south, Andalusia
Andalusia
Andalusia is the most populous and the second largest in area of the autonomous communities of Spain. The Andalusian autonomous community is officially recognised as a nationality of Spain. The territory is divided into eight provinces: Huelva, Seville, Cádiz, Córdoba, Málaga, Jaén, Granada and...
and the Canary Islands
Canary Islands
The Canary Islands , also known as the Canaries , is a Spanish archipelago located just off the northwest coast of mainland Africa, 100 km west of the border between Morocco and the Western Sahara. The Canaries are a Spanish autonomous community and an outermost region of the European Union...
.
The establishment of monasteries during the Middle Ages was paramount from a socially and culturally as well as for restocking. Was a breakthrough in agriculture
Agriculture
Agriculture is the cultivation of animals, plants, fungi and other life forms for food, fiber, and other products used to sustain life. Agriculture was the key implement in the rise of sedentary human civilization, whereby farming of domesticated species created food surpluses that nurtured the...
and settlements emerged around large buildings. Also benefited the art and culture.
Another important factor to consider for the construction of monasteries in Spain was the Camino de Santiago, along which these religious institutions were emerging whose main objective was to help the pilgrim
Pilgrim
A pilgrim is a traveler who is on a journey to a holy place. Typically, this is a physical journeying to some place of special significance to the adherent of a particular religious belief system...
s.
Characteristics and evolution of the monastery in Spain
The first reference to a monastery in Spain makes St. Augustine in 398 in a letter to the abbotAbbot
The word abbot, meaning father, is a title given to the head of a monastery in various traditions, including Christianity. The office may also be given as an honorary title to a clergyman who is not actually the head of a monastery...
of the Monastery of Cabrera
Cabrera, Balearic Islands
Cabrera is an uninhabited islet in the Balearic Islands, Spain, located in the Mediterranean Sea off the southern coast of Majorca. It is currently a National Park...
. At 410, the monk Baquiario first used the word monastery in a text written in Hispania
Hispania
Another theory holds that the name derives from Ezpanna, the Basque word for "border" or "edge", thus meaning the farthest area or place. Isidore of Sevilla considered Hispania derived from Hispalis....
. He as a monk
Monk
A monk is a person who practices religious asceticism, living either alone or with any number of monks, while always maintaining some degree of physical separation from those not sharing the same purpose...
and Egeria or as a nun
Nun
A nun is a woman who has taken vows committing her to live a spiritual life. She may be an ascetic who voluntarily chooses to leave mainstream society and live her life in prayer and contemplation in a monastery or convent...
Etheria (perhaps more properly a consecrated virgin
Consecrated virgin
In the Catholic Church a consecrated virgin is a woman who has been conscrated by the church to a life of perpetual virginity in the service of God. Consecrated virgins are to spend their time in works of penance and mercy, in apostolic activity and in prayer, according to their state of life and...
) would be the first Hispanic monks known name.
The first monasteries arose in the fourth century and were humble buildings erected in the shadow of shrines or graves of local martyr
Martyr
A martyr is somebody who suffers persecution and death for refusing to renounce, or accept, a belief or cause, usually religious.-Meaning:...
s dear. Many of these monasteries were troglodytes, as hermits or recluses (the first monks) preferred to live in caves as shelter outfitted or oratory. Such is the origin of the monastery of San Millán de la Cogolla, which preserves both the cave where the saint lived Millan (saint) Aemilianus
Saint Aemilianus
Saint Aemilianus lived in the 5th century AD, and is known as a physician, confessor, and martyr. In the reign of the Arian Vandal King Huneric , he became enmired in the Arian persecution in Africa. When he would not convert to Arianism he was put to death by being flayed alive...
or Millán which served as the chapel. In the caves of his disciples living environment. The practice of living alone away from the world was transformed by the group of monks in monasteries, although they lived in community, maintained their practice ascetic
Asceticism
Asceticism describes a lifestyle characterized by abstinence from various sorts of worldly pleasures often with the aim of pursuing religious and spiritual goals...
, and location in a remote place (in desert).
The quantitative success of monasticism
Monasticism
Monasticism is a religious way of life characterized by the practice of renouncing worldly pursuits to fully devote one's self to spiritual work...
in the Visigothic period led to quite a few clashes with the secular clergy, and their dispute came to the Councils of Toledo
Councils of Toledo
Councils of Toledo . From the 5th century to the 7th century, about thirty synods, variously counted, were held at Toledo in what would come to be part of Spain. The earliest, directed against Priscillianism, assembled in 400. The "third" synod of 589 marked the epoch-making conversion of King...
. Much of this came from the social and economic benefits that provided the privileges of the monastic life. In some cases, as in the area of El Bierzo
El Bierzo
El Bierzo is a shire in the province of León, Spain. The valley has the administrative status of comarca and its capital is the town of Ponferrada. Other major towns are Bembibre and Villafranca del Bierzo, the historical capital.- History :...
monasteries were created whole families welcomed as Compludo and Ruphianensi Monasterium that were foundations Fructuoso (and have come to call the Thebaid berciana), which had more the appearance of real villages. In other areas, such as Andalusia, monasteries were not mixed and separated by sex. Some sources also attributed to the more extreme features of the hermit movement, especially in areas such as Burgos
Burgos (province)
The province of Burgos is a province of northern Spain, in the northeastern part of the autonomous community of Castile and León. It is bordered by the provinces of Palencia, Cantabria, Vizcaya, Álava, La Rioja, Soria, Segovia, and Valladolid. Its capital is the city of Burgos...
, Álava
Álava
Álava is a province of Spain and a historical territory of the Basque Country, heir of the ancient Lord of Álava. Its capital city is Vitoria-Gasteiz which is also the capital of the autonomous community...
and Logroño
Logroño
Logroño is a city in northern Spain, on the Ebro River. It is the capital of the autonomous community of La Rioja, formerly known as La Rioja Province.The population of Logroño in 2008 was 153,736 and a metropolitan population of nearly 197,000 inhabitants...
, features of social protest in parallel with other religious movements as heresy Priscillianist
Priscillianism
Priscillianism is a Christian doctrine developed in the Iberian Peninsula in the 4th century by Priscillian, derived from the Gnostic-Manichaean doctrines taught by Marcus, an Egyptian from Memphis, and later considered a heresy by the Orthodox Church.-History:Priscillian was described as "a man...
, which survived in some areas (Galicia) to the sixth century.
In the following centuries the monasteries emerged Hispanic recruitment and monasteries, with its own characteristics into a necessity and an art purely Hispanic. In the Romanesque
Romanesque architecture
Romanesque architecture is an architectural style of Medieval Europe characterised by semi-circular arches. There is no consensus for the beginning date of the Romanesque architecture, with proposals ranging from the 6th to the 10th century. It developed in the 12th century into the Gothic style,...
and the arrival of the monks of Cluny ( XI century ), the order of St. Benedict
Order of Saint Benedict
The Order of Saint Benedict is a Roman Catholic religious order of independent monastic communities that observe the Rule of St. Benedict. Within the order, each individual community maintains its own autonomy, while the organization as a whole exists to represent their mutual interests...
and observers of their rule, the monastery complex took new shape and it was most important and influential. Came the quintessential faculty and buildings that were erected were of great proportions. Many of these groups have survived to this day (year 2007 ) better or worse, although many of them serve for other uses unrelated to monasticism. The political role of Cluny and its link with the monarchy
Monarchy
A monarchy is a form of government in which the office of head of state is usually held until death or abdication and is often hereditary and includes a royal house. In some cases, the monarch is elected...
and noble houses was decisive for the Europeanization of the Christian kingdoms of the mainland and the formation of feudal society. With regard to social and economic role of the Benedictine monasteries, interpretations materialistic classic-for that would be a feudal lord over, are being tempered by the recent historiography
Historiography
Historiography refers either to the study of the history and methodology of history as a discipline, or to a body of historical work on a specialized topic...
, the study of many more aspects such as inclusion in client networks more complex and functions of all kinds (ideological, legal, institutional ...), using the methodology of cultural anthropology
Cultural anthropology
Cultural anthropology is a branch of anthropology focused on the study of cultural variation among humans, collecting data about the impact of global economic and political processes on local cultural realities. Anthropologists use a variety of methods, including participant observation,...
and microhistory
Microhistory
Microhistory is the intensive historical investigation of a well defined smaller unit of research...
.
Following the momentum of Cluny Cistercian arrived with new factories and its amendments, and the Carthusians, and in the thirteenth century the Franciscan
Franciscan
Most Franciscans are members of Roman Catholic religious orders founded by Saint Francis of Assisi. Besides Roman Catholic communities, there are also Old Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran, ecumenical and Non-denominational Franciscan communities....
s and Dominicans
Dominican Order
The Order of Preachers , after the 15th century more commonly known as the Dominican Order or Dominicans, is a Catholic religious order founded by Saint Dominic and approved by Pope Honorius III on 22 December 1216 in France...
, which would be added Premonstratensian and Jesuits . Of these samples are kept quite monastic. During the XVI and XVII were numerous monasteries and convents for women.
Monastery of the Valley of the Fallen.
Recent monasteries founded and built in Spain were:
- Monasterio de Santa María de Viaceli (Cóbreces, CantabriaCantabriaCantabria is a Spanish historical region and autonomous community with Santander as its capital city. It is bordered on the east by the Basque Autonomous Community , on the south by Castile and León , on the west by the Principality of Asturias, and on the north by the Cantabrian Sea.Cantabria...
), promoted and sponsored by the brothers Manuel and Antonio Bernaldo de Quirós and Pomar and Cistercian foundation in 1909 - Female monastery of San Lorenzo in OñatiOñatiOñati is a town located in the province of Gipuzkoa, in the autonomous community of the Basque Country, in the north of Spain. It has a population of approximately 10,500 and lies in a valley in the center of the Basque country. It lies about 40 km south of the Bay of Biscay and is about 236 m...
, Guipuzcoa, in 1928 - Monastery of the Valley of the Fallen (Abbey of the Holy Cross in the Valley of the Fallen), 1940–1958, under draft Pedro Muguruza and Diego Mendez .
- House of Spirituality of the Dominican Fathers (CaleruegaCaleruegaCaleruega is a small town and municipality in the autonomous community of Castile-Leon, Spain. It is part of the Province of Burgos.It is noted as the birthplace of Saint Dominic, the founder of the Order of Preachers. It is a few miles south of the Monastery of Santo Domingo de Silos.-External...
, Burgos), 1952 . - Roll Monastery (or Monastery of the Immaculate Conception ) in SalamancaSalamancaSalamanca is a city in western Spain, in the community of Castile and León. Because it is known for its beautiful buildings and urban environment, the Old City was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988. It is the most important university city in Spain and is known for its contributions to...
1961, authored by the architect Antonio Fernández Alba . - Monasterio de Santa Maria de las Shallots (HornachuelosHornachuelosHornachuelos is a city located in the province of Córdoba, Spain. According to the 2006 census , the city has a population of 4662 inhabitants.The first scene of Act II of Giuseppe Verdi's La forza del destino takes place in "an inn at Hornachuelos"....
, Córdoba), 1986
Foundations
Throughout the history of monasteries were founded mainly by kingKing
- Centers of population :* King, Ontario, CanadaIn USA:* King, Indiana* King, North Carolina* King, Lincoln County, Wisconsin* King, Waupaca County, Wisconsin* King County, Washington- Moving-image works :Television:...
s, bishop
Bishop
A bishop is an ordained or consecrated member of the Christian clergy who is generally entrusted with a position of authority and oversight. Within the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox Churches, in the Assyrian Church of the East, in the Independent Catholic Churches, and in the...
s and nobles
Nobility
Nobility is a social class which possesses more acknowledged privileges or eminence than members of most other classes in a society, membership therein typically being hereditary. The privileges associated with nobility may constitute substantial advantages over or relative to non-nobles, or may be...
. The reasons for any of them to found a monastery could be their own interest, in order to reserve a burial
Burial
Burial is the act of placing a person or object into the ground. This is accomplished by excavating a pit or trench, placing an object in it, and covering it over.-History:...
there, which would mean perpetual monks pray for the salvation of his soul, or for giving shelter to a princess
Princess
Princess is the feminine form of prince . Most often, the term has been used for the consort of a prince, or his daughters....
, widow
Widow
A widow is a woman whose spouse has died, while a widower is a man whose spouse has died. The state of having lost one's spouse to death is termed widowhood or occasionally viduity. The adjective form is widowed...
, unmarried or bastard
Legitimacy (law)
At common law, legitimacy is the status of a child who is born to parents who are legally married to one another; and of a child who is born shortly after the parents' divorce. In canon and in civil law, the offspring of putative marriages have been considered legitimate children...
, in the case of kings. Sometimes the reason for founding or protection of a particular monastery for political reasons or due to war and many of them were located in border areas of Castile and León
Castile and León
Castile and León is an autonomous community in north-western Spain. It was so constituted in 1983 and it comprises the historical regions of León and Old Castile...
or Navarre
Navarre
Navarre , officially the Chartered Community of Navarre is an autonomous community in northern Spain, bordering the Basque Country, La Rioja, and Aragon in Spain and Aquitaine in France...
, as was the case Matallana monastery (in the Valladolid
Valladolid (province)
Valladolid is a province of central/northwest Spain, in the central part of the autonomous community of Castile and León. It is bordered by the provinces of Zamora, León, Palencia, Burgos, Segovia, Ávila, and Salamanca....
), located on the border Castilian-Leonese, or the Castilian border Bujedo-Navarre. The bishops also had great interest in building a monastery on which to exercise their authority, especially in the period feudal territory and which guaranteed income, the nobility had a desire for the salvation of his soul and his family, plus show how much political influence and great power by sponsoring one of these great works. The monastic vows (poverty, chastity and obedience) were particularly suitable monastic fate of younger sons, regardless of the sincerity or otherwise of his vocation
Vocation
A vocation , is a term for an occupation to which a person is specially drawn or for which they are suited, trained or qualified. Though now often used in non-religious contexts, the meanings of the term originated in Christianity.-Senses:...
, which thus did not dispute the inheritance of the firstborn, holding undivided estates (institution of primogeniture
Primogeniture
Primogeniture is the right, by law or custom, of the firstborn to inherit the entire estate, to the exclusion of younger siblings . Historically, the term implied male primogeniture, to the exclusion of females...
). This close identification between the clergy and nobility, both privileged classes, survived as a phenomenon of long duration during the Middle Ages and the Modern Age
Modern Age
Modern Age is an American conservative academic quarterly journal, founded in 1957 by Russell Kirk in close collaboration with Henry Regnery...
to the end of the ancien regime.
Other monasteries that arise by themselves, from a chapel around which a community is formed. This is the case of the monastery of San Juan de Ortega
San Juan de Ortega
The old monastery of San Juan de Ortega is a Romanesque monument in Barrios de Colina, in the province of Burgos, Spain. It is commonly believed that it was built by Saint John of Ortega himself, with the help of his friend and fellow saint, Domingo de la Calzada, as a help point to the pilgrims...
which originally was a humble chapel founded by the saint to save the relics of St. Nicholas of Bari and the arrival of more people to look after the place was the formation of a community with the need to lift the grounds of a monastery. Or from hermits, in some cases doubling, that were left to be guided by any rule, as the Royal Monastery of Santa María de Vallbona
Monastery of Santa María de Vallbona
The Monastery of Santa Maria de Vallbona is a Cistercian abbey in Vallbona de les Monges, in the comarca of Urgell, Catalonia, Spain. Founded in the early 12th century, it is one of the most important monasteries in Catalonia; its church represents an example of transition between Romanesque and...
(Vallbona de les Monges
Vallbona de les Monges
Vallbona de les Monges is a municipality in the comarca of the Urgell in Catalonia, Spain. It is located at the southern end of the comarca, north of the Serra del Tallat, Catalan Pre-Coastal Range, where many wind turbines have been installed....
), the monastery of Santo Domingo de Ocaña (Toledo
Toledo, Spain
Toledo's Alcázar became renowned in the 19th and 20th centuries as a military academy. At the outbreak of the Spanish Civil War in 1936 its garrison was famously besieged by Republican forces.-Economy:...
) of the century XVI has the distinction of being founded by a neighbor who wanted to be close to the preachers.
There are recent foundations (of the twentieth century) whose fate is very clear from the outset, as is the monastery or house of spirituality of the Dominican Fathers of Caleruega (Burgos), 1952, destined for the convent-school-house of spirituality. In the field of education
Education
Education in its broadest, general sense is the means through which the aims and habits of a group of people lives on from one generation to the next. Generally, it occurs through any experience that has a formative effect on the way one thinks, feels, or acts...
can also include the Monastery of Our Lady of the Angels of Palma de Mallorca
Palma de Mallorca
Palma is the major city and port on the island of Majorca and capital city of the autonomous community of the Balearic Islands in Spain. The names Ciutat de Mallorca and Ciutat were used before the War of the Spanish Succession and are still used by people in Majorca. However, the official name...
, in 1914, conceived as a major seminary
Seminary
A seminary, theological college, or divinity school is an institution of secondary or post-secondary education for educating students in theology, generally to prepare them for ordination as clergy or for other ministry...
, Novitiate House, Ecumenical Centre College and routinely providing Evangelical Protestants Lutheran Germans.
The first Hispanic monasteries
During the sixth and seventh centuries culture Visigoth Hispanic wealth is expressed in a monastery where ancient tradition still flourished and where the monks themselves drafted Hispanics living monastic rules. Arise in this period many monasteries.Some sources consider the Monastery of St. Victorian of Asan (Asan
Asan
Asan is a city in South Chungcheong Province, South Korea. It is located at , bordering the Seoul Metropolitan Area to the north. Asan has a population of approximately 250,000.Asan is known for its hot springs and is a city of spas....
, Sobrarbe
Sobrarbe
Sobrarbe is one of the Comarcas of Aragon, Spain. It is located in the northern part of the province of Huesca, part of the autonomous community of Aragon in Spain...
, Huesca province
Huesca (province)
Huesca , officially Huesca/Uesca, is a province of northeastern Spain, in northern Aragon. The capital is Huesca.Positioned just south of the central Pyrenees, Huesca borders France and the French Departments of Pyrénées-Atlantiques and Hautes-Pyrénées...
) as the first monastery founded in Spain, but more likely, given the existence of references to previous monasteries, which can be said is safer be the first real initiative foundation: the Visigoth king Gesalec
Gesalec
Gesalic was a king of the Visigoths from 507 to 511, and died in 513. Although the illegitimate son of Alaric II. He had been elected king by the Visigoths after Alaric had been killed in battle by the Franks...
in 506. Others were due to the Swabia
Swabia
Swabia is a cultural, historic and linguistic region in southwestern Germany.-Geography:Like many cultural regions of Europe, Swabia's borders are not clearly defined...
ns in the northwest, with the activity of San Martín de Dumio, from Pannonia
Pannonia
Pannonia was an ancient province of the Roman Empire bounded north and east by the Danube, coterminous westward with Noricum and upper Italy, and southward with Dalmatia and upper Moesia....
. Other founding saints like San Donato
San Donato
San Donato is the Spanish and Italian form of Saint Donatus. It can refer to:*Saint Donatus of Arezzo *Saint Donatus of Fiesole *Dukedom of San Donato, noble titleIt is also a place-name:*San Donato di Lecce*San Donato di Ninea...
, came from Africa Játiva. San Fructuoso de Braga, in the early seventh century founded the monastery of Compludo and twenty other foundations from Galicia to Andalusia. During the same century, San Leandro and his brother St. Isidore composed their own monastic rules.
Morphologically, in monasteries Hispanics are clearly distinguished two concepts:
- Closing the set, which is known by the name of claustra
- CloisterCloisterA cloister is a rectangular open space surrounded by covered walks or open galleries, with open arcades on the inner side, running along the walls of buildings and forming a quadrangle or garth...
ed units, called domus.
The cloister was an envelope that isolated and protected the monastery building, which is very important to the religious life that was intended to cultivate. In one chapter of San Isidoro rule states:
"The mill
Mill (grinding)
A grinding mill is a unit operation designed to break a solid material into smaller pieces. There are many different types of grinding mills and many types of materials processed in them. Historically mills were powered by hand , working animal , wind or water...
of the monastery on its premises only have one door and one wicket
Wicket gate
A wicket gate is a small gate or door, particularly one built into a larger one. The cricket term "wicket" comes from this usage. The term wicket gate is also used in English to refer to automatic ticket barriers or older staffed ticket gates on Japan's railway network...
to leave the garden."
Then advised that the city is far and above all respect for the closure. This suggests to build an enclosure or wall to the monastic and other including the garden. This first is called monastic enclosure or cloister.
The second concept is referred to the domus, i.e. the group of houses which constitute the monastery. Within the domus, the documents refer to two different places: domus domorum, i.e. the ultimate home, or church, and maior domus, which is the flag of monks and served as a bedroom
Bedroom
A bedroom is a private room where people usually sleep for the night or relax during the day.About one third of our lives are spent sleeping and most of the time we are asleep, we are sleeping in a bedroom. To be considered a bedroom the room needs to have bed. Bedrooms can range from really simple...
and use of life community. According to the comments that remain, the maior domus should be a dependency of high architectural quality and large size, that used to stand next to the church, at the height of the atrium
Atrium (architecture)
In modern architecture, an atrium is a large open space, often several stories high and having a glazed roof and/or large windows, often situated within a larger multistory building and often located immediately beyond the main entrance doors...
.
In the whole domus other units were also necessary as the cilla, nursing
Nursing
Nursing is a healthcare profession focused on the care of individuals, families, and communities so they may attain, maintain, or recover optimal health and quality of life from conception to death....
, the punishment cell, the novitiate
Novitiate
Novitiate, alt. noviciate, is the period of training and preparation that a novice monastic or member of a religious order undergoes prior to taking vows in order to discern whether they are called to the religious life....
, the goal, etc. What centuries later (in the order of the Benedictines) chapter house
Chapter house
A chapter house or chapterhouse is a building or room attached to a cathedral or collegiate church in which meetings are held. They can also be found in medieval monasteries....
will be called in these monasteries Hispanics called conference room. Much is said about this space and its utility in documents but do not know for certain where it was located. It is known that minor issues monks gathered in the choir.
The documentation on the monasteries Hispanics is quite abundant and descriptive. However, only some monastic churches have been preserved, the rest of the site is lost and the few archaeological investigations there are no conclusive results.
Monastery stocking
These are the monasteries that arose from the tenth century in land resettlement, which had hitherto been barren areas, no man's land, abandoned places in the basin of the Duero and lands of Bierzo in León. It could be new buildings or small churches, crumbling and neglected earlier that new monks transformed and supplemented with monastic dependencies. These were not depopulated cores in many cases in a hundred percent but sometimes found inhabited by small groups, pastoralists, farmerFarmer
A farmer is a person engaged in agriculture, who raises living organisms for food or raw materials, generally including livestock husbandry and growing crops, such as produce and grain...
s, attached to their land.
The monks who were raising this kind of monastery came from both the South (especially Cordoba, at a time of persecution of Christians
Persecution of Christians
Persecution of Christians as a consequence of professing their faith can be traced both historically and in the current era. Early Christians were persecuted for their faith, at the hands of both Jews from whose religion Christianity arose, and the Roman Empire which controlled much of the land...
in that city) and the North, giving each other the influences of place of origin, but without forgetting the traditional Spanish-Gothic
Spanish Gothic architecture
Spanish Gothic architecture is the style of architecture prevalent in Spain in the Late Medieval period.The Gothic style started in Spain as a result of Central European influence in the twelfth century when late Romanesque alternated with few expressions of pure Gothic architecture...
forms. The architectural heritage survived almost two centuries despite the abandonment will be restored by these people repopulating. The lands of the Douro Valley will witness the revival of architecture over the centuries neovisigótica X and XI, while the Catalan lands enter the year 1000 in the first Romanesque. Such is the witness given the small churches, the only remains of the monasteries of that period that have survived until today (2008).
Many of these religious buildings are old buildings that take advantage of the Visigothic period, and also mosque
Mosque
A mosque is a place of worship for followers of Islam. The word is likely to have entered the English language through French , from Portuguese , from Spanish , and from Berber , ultimately originating in — . The Arabic word masjid literally means a place of prostration...
s, especially in Aragon
Aragon
Aragon is a modern autonomous community in Spain, coextensive with the medieval Kingdom of Aragon. Located in northeastern Spain, the Aragonese autonomous community comprises three provinces : Huesca, Zaragoza, and Teruel. Its capital is Zaragoza...
first and, later, Andalusia.
Building components and ornaments
Almost all buildings of this age have much in common, so you can make a generalized description of the elements of constructionConstruction
In the fields of architecture and civil engineering, construction is a process that consists of the building or assembling of infrastructure. Far from being a single activity, large scale construction is a feat of human multitasking...
and ornamentation.
Materials. The main ones are the rubble
Rubble masonry
Rubble masonry is rough, unhewn building stone set in mortar, but not laid in regular courses. It may appear as the outer surface of a wall or may fill the core of a wall which is faced with unit masonry such as brick or cut stone....
, the stone and wood. The walls are raised either in masonry or in large rows of stones squared. The latter is typical of places with nearby quarries. Where there is a slate
Slate
Slate is a fine-grained, foliated, homogeneous metamorphic rock derived from an original shale-type sedimentary rock composed of clay or volcanic ash through low-grade regional metamorphism. The result is a foliated rock in which the foliation may not correspond to the original sedimentary layering...
is often used this material. The masonry
Masonry
Masonry is the building of structures from individual units laid in and bound together by mortar; the term masonry can also refer to the units themselves. The common materials of masonry construction are brick, stone, marble, granite, travertine, limestone; concrete block, glass block, stucco, and...
work, in many cases reinforce the corners and window openings with large stones well crafted.
Vaults, roofs, arches and columns. The trend and the ideal of the builders was to cover all the spaces with stone barrel vault
Barrel vault
A barrel vault, also known as a tunnel vault or a wagon vault, is an architectural element formed by the extrusion of a single curve along a given distance. The curves are typically circular in shape, lending a semi-cylindrical appearance to the total design...
, but could not always do so, in some cases by the high cost of the work, other technical difficulties. Very few monuments managed to cover all areas vault, vaulting normal being only the apse
Apse
In architecture, the apse is a semicircular recess covered with a hemispherical vault or semi-dome...
s and cover the rest of the ships with wooden frame. However, in small churches sought to vaulting but poor materials were used stone tuff
Tuff
Tuff is a type of rock consisting of consolidated volcanic ash ejected from vents during a volcanic eruption. Tuff is sometimes called tufa, particularly when used as construction material, although tufa also refers to a quite different rock. Rock that contains greater than 50% tuff is considered...
mixed with brick and masonry.
The profile of the guns of the vaults horseshoe arch
Horseshoe arch
The horseshoe arch, also called the Moorish arch and the Keyhole arch, is the emblematic arch of Islamic architecture. They were formerly constructed in Visigothic Spain. Horseshoe arches can take rounded, pointed or lobed form....
was in the tradition of Asturian architecture (with ancestry in the Visigothic art) and in some cases following the influence of the Mozarabic Cordoba. The major influence on these buildings Cordoba art is manifested in the ribbed vaults.
Santiago de Peñalba
Santiago de Peñalba
Santiago de Peñalba church is a Mozarabic church in the Valle del Silencio in the region of El Bierzo, close to Ponferrada, province of León, Community of Castile and León, Spain....
. Example of Mozarabic and alfiz
Alfiz
The alfiz is an architectonic adornment, consisting of a moulding, usually a rectangular panel, which encloses the outward side of an arch...
arches.
The arch is the most widely used horseshoe that coexists with that of half a point . The Moorish horseshoe arch differs from the Spaniard and the Islamic cannot be (close to ² / ³ of the radio). Sometimes that cannot changes in the same building, as in San Miguel de Escalada.
The columns are always taken advantage of other buildings, usually Romans
Roman architecture
Ancient Roman architecture adopted certain aspects of Ancient Greek architecture, creating a new architectural style. The Romans were indebted to their Etruscan neighbors and forefathers who supplied them with a wealth of knowledge essential for future architectural solutions, such as hydraulics...
. Its discovery by the builders, ownership and carry is a fact and the usual great convenience. Sometimes come from places far from their final destination. Many of the capitals are also reused, those developed specifically for the building following a Corinthian
Corinthian order
The Corinthian order is one of the three principal classical orders of ancient Greek and Roman architecture. The other two are the Doric and Ionic. When classical architecture was revived during the Renaissance, two more orders were added to the canon, the Tuscan order and the Composite order...
tradition of drawing the characteristic necking stranded (such as wreathed Asturias).
As for ornamental sculpture, did not reach a great development. Eaves
Eaves
The eaves of a roof are its lower edges. They usually project beyond the walls of the building to carry rain water away.-Etymology:"Eaves" is derived from Old English and is both the singular and plural form of the word.- Function :...
, very frilly, were heavily decorated, and the openings of the windows filled with beautiful stone lattices. Many times the doors and windows were framed with alfiz. But there are very many entries as a decoration paramental, they are of all kinds; funeral, consecration, foundation, etc. Are written in good handwriting and on the basis of good material, usually marble
Marble
Marble is a metamorphic rock composed of recrystallized carbonate minerals, most commonly calcite or dolomite.Geologists use the term "marble" to refer to metamorphosed limestone; however stonemasons use the term more broadly to encompass unmetamorphosed limestone.Marble is commonly used for...
.
Painting
The paintingPainting
Painting is the practice of applying paint, pigment, color or other medium to a surface . The application of the medium is commonly applied to the base with a brush but other objects can be used. In art, the term painting describes both the act and the result of the action. However, painting is...
was always finishing building. A church was not considered completed if the walls were painted both inside and outside. A few traces of paint have been preserved over the centuries since, on one hand is the least resistant decorative element over time and secondly, the architects of the nineteenth century restorers became a fashion makeover, respecting only in some cases the lack of mural history. If the exterior was plastered were scraped to bring up the stone
STONe
is a Japanese manga written and illustrated by Sin-Ichi Hiromoto. Kodansha released the two bound volumes of the manga on April 23, 2002 and August 23, 2002, respectively.The manga is licensed for an English-languague released in North America be Tokyopop...
or brick
Brick
A brick is a block of ceramic material used in masonry construction, usually laid using various kinds of mortar. It has been regarded as one of the longest lasting and strongest building materials used throughout history.-History:...
or masonry. This trend continued throughout the twentieth century and continues into the twenty-first century.
Buildings are covered for with a certain tone and then gave different colors on different details (arches, moldings, capitals, imposts). It is known that the Church of Santiago de Peñalba had a red painted base, 73 cm in height, both outside and inside.
Geographical layout of some of the monasteries of restocking
- Monasterio de San Miguel de Escalada, in the province of León, Alfonso founded by the abbot who arrived from Cordoba, existed at the time of Alfonso IIIAlfonso III of LeónAlfonso III , called the Great, was the king of León, Galicia and Asturias from 866 until his death. He was the son and successor of Ordoño I. In later sources he is the earliest to be called "Emperor of Spain"...
an ancient temple dedicated to San Miguel. The monastery was consecrated in 913 by Bishop Gennadius of Astorga. - Monasterio de San Cebrián de Mazote in Valladolid town of Mazote San Cebrián, founded in times of Ordoño IIOrdoño II of LeónOrdoño II was king of Galicia from 910, and king of Galicia and León from 914 until his death. He was the second son of King Alfonso III the Great and his wife, Jimena of Pamplona....
by monks who came from Cordoba. - Monasterio de San Román de Hornija. It is known from documents Chindasvinto died in 653 and was buried in a monastery that existed here. In the twelfth century it was a priory of the monastery of San Pedro de Montes in the region of Bierzo (León).
Cluny in Spain
Home church of Santa Maria de Piasca (CantabriaCantabria
Cantabria is a Spanish historical region and autonomous community with Santander as its capital city. It is bordered on the east by the Basque Autonomous Community , on the south by Castile and León , on the west by the Principality of Asturias, and on the north by the Cantabrian Sea.Cantabria...
), one of the most important priories in the service of the Cluniac monastery of Sahagún
Sahagún, Córdoba
Sahagún is a town and municipality located in the Córdoba Department, northern Colombia.-References:...
.
In Catalonia, the abbot Oliba had a great relationship with the Abbey of Cluny
Cluny Abbey
Cluny Abbey is a Benedictine monastery in Cluny, Saône-et-Loire, France. It was built in the Romanesque style, with three churches built in succession from the 10th to the early 12th centuries....
, but it went from being a spiritual type of relationship without any legal ties whatsoever. Via this abbot, King Sancho III of Navarre
Sancho III of Navarre
Sancho III Garcés , called the Great , succeeded as a minor to the Kingdom of Navarre in 1004, and through conquest and political maneuvering increased his power, until at the time of his death in 1035 he controlled the majority of Christian Iberia, bearing the title of rex Hispaniarum...
established relations with the abbot St. Odilon de Cluny
Saint Odilo of Cluny
-Biography:Odilo was born c. 962. He was descended from the nobility of Auvergne. He early became a cleric in the seminary of St. Julien in Brioude. In 991 he entered Cluny and before the end of his year of probation was made coadjutor to Abbot Mayeul....
and the immediate consequences was put in front of the monastery of San Juan de la Peña from an abbot of Cluny in the year 1028. From this fact, the influence spread Cluniac monasteries that were in the domains of Sancho III. The spiritual connection and relationship with the Abbey of Cluny continues with the descendants of Sancho III until the reign of King Alfonso VI with whom the relationship moves from being purely spiritual and sympathy to have economic ties and a big influence political and religious. The monastery of Sahagún in León
Kingdom of León
The Kingdom of León was an independent kingdom situated in the northwest region of the Iberian Peninsula. It was founded in AD 910 when the Christian princes of Asturias along the northern coast of the peninsula shifted their capital from Oviedo to the city of León...
was of great importance and authority, the biggest propagator of the Cluniac observance. Alfonso VI became the center of Cluny and became its protector. It was called "The Spanish Cluny, the abbey being more powerful of the kingdoms of León and Castile, which depended almost 100 monasteries. He was owner of the land ranging from the Cantabrian Sea to the River Duero. As for its cultural aspect was the most important center of what is now Spain in the eleventh and twelfth centuries.
The Cistercians in Spain
The monastery MoreruelaMoreruela Abbey
Moreruela Abbey is a former Cistercian monastery in the province of Zamora in Castile and León, Spain.- Location :...
(Zamora) was the first Cistercian enclave in the territory of the Iberian Peninsula
Iberian Peninsula
The Iberian Peninsula , sometimes called Iberia, is located in the extreme southwest of Europe and includes the modern-day sovereign states of Spain, Portugal and Andorra, as well as the British Overseas Territory of Gibraltar...
, founded in 1133 in the reign of Alfonso VII, followed by the Fitero (1140), Santa María de Sobrado, 1142, (in Sobrado dos Monxes, La Coruña) and the monastery of Poblet
Poblet Monastery
The Royal Abbey of Santa Maria de Poblet is a Cistercian monastery, founded in 1151, located at the feet of the Prades Mountains, in the comarca of Conca de Barberà, in Catalonia . It was founded by Cistercian monks from France on lands conquered from the Moors...
(1150) in Catalonia, sponsored by Count Ramón Berenguer IV of Barcelona
Ramon Berenguer IV, Count of Barcelona
Ramon Berenguer IV , sometimes called the Holy, was the Count of Barcelona who effected the union between the Kingdom of Aragon and the Principality of Catalonia into the Crown of Aragon....
and was part of the great Cistercian abbeys group consisting of Clairvaux
Clairvaux Abbey
Clairvaux Abbey is a Cistercian monastery in Ville-sous-la-Ferté, 15 km from Bar-sur-Aube, in the Aube département in northeastern France. The original building, founded in 1115 by St. Bernard, is now in ruins; a high-security prison, the Clairvaux Prison, now occupies the grounds...
(in the valley of Absinthe, France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
), the Great Forest (in Languedoc
Languedoc
Languedoc is a former province of France, now continued in the modern-day régions of Languedoc-Roussillon and Midi-Pyrénées in the south of France, and whose capital city was Toulouse, now in Midi-Pyrénées. It had an area of approximately 42,700 km² .-Geographical Extent:The traditional...
), Fontfreda (near Narbonne
Narbonne
Narbonne is a commune in southern France in the Languedoc-Roussillon region. It lies from Paris in the Aude department, of which it is a sub-prefecture. Once a prosperous port, it is now located about from the shores of the Mediterranean Sea...
) and Poblet. The first monastery for women was that of Santa Maria de la Caridad in Tulebras
Tulebras
Tulebras is a town and municipality located in the province and autonomous community of Navarre, northern Spain.-External links:*...
(Navarra). From this monastery the nuns departed founders of the monasteries of Perales
Perales
Perales is a municipality located in the province of Palencia, Castile and León, Spain. According to the 2004 census , the municipality has a population of 107 inhabitants....
(Palencia
Palencia (province)
Palencia is a province of northern Spain, in the northern part of the autonomous community of Castile and León. It is bordered by the provinces of León, Cantabria, Burgos, and Valladolid....
), of Gradefes
Gradefes
Gradefes is a municipality located in the province of León, Castile and León, Spain. , the municipality has a population of 1,076 inhabitants....
, Cañas (La Rioja
La Rioja (Spain)
La Rioja is an autonomous community and a province of northern Spain. Its capital is Logroño. Other cities and towns in the province include Calahorra, Arnedo, Alfaro, Haro, Santo Domingo de la Calzada, and Nájera.-History:...
), Trasobares
Trasobares
Trasobares is a municipality located in the Aranda Comarca, province of Zaragoza, Aragon, Spain. According to the 2004 census , the municipality has a population of 183 inhabitants.This town is located in the SW of the Moncayo Massif.-External links:...
in Zaragoza
Zaragoza (province)
Zaragoza is a province of northern Spain, in the central part of the autonomous community of Aragon.Its capital is Zaragoza, which is also the capital of the autonomous community. Other towns in Zaragoza include Calatayud, Borja, La Almunia de Doña Godina, Ejea de los Caballeros and Tarazona.Its...
, Vallbona, Lleida
Lleida (province)
thumb|250px|Monastery of [[Santa Maria de Bellpuig de les Avellanes]].Lleida is a province of north-eastern Spain, in the western part of the autonomous community of Catalonia. It is bordered by the provinces of Girona, Barcelona, Tarragona, Zaragoza and Huesca and the countries of France and...
and Las Huelgas in Burgos. Cistercian monasteries, both female and male, have multiplied throughout the geography of the peninsula.
Monasteries of the mendicant orders
The mendicant ordersMendicant Orders
The mendicant orders are religious orders which depend directly on the charity of the people for their livelihood. In principle, they do not own property, either individually or collectively , believing that this was the most pure way of life to copy followed by Jesus Christ, in order that all...
(also called preachers) are the new order that emerged in the early thirteenth century the name of Dominicans and Franciscans. Emerged as a spiritual response and necessary in a time of new monastic orders had relaxed the norms and behavior. Proposes a novel mode of action based on direct action toward the faithful and the organizational system that was based on division by provinces.
The convents and monasteries of these monks were always very close to the city or within it. Also on the roads (especially in the Camino de Santiago) where care and love offered to travelers.
The monastic complex of buildings is in keeping with the model of the monastery as usual, but offers in most cases some differences according to the needs and the work of these monks. Many of the building foundations were made donations of houses more or less adapted to life in community. The churches were newly built (or in some cases extending some existing chapel
Chapel
A chapel is a building used by Christians as a place of fellowship and worship. It may be part of a larger structure or complex, such as a church, college, hospital, palace, prison or funeral home, located on board a military or commercial ship, or it may be an entirely free-standing building,...
or shrine
Shrine
A shrine is a holy or sacred place, which is dedicated to a specific deity, ancestor, hero, martyr, saint, daemon or similar figure of awe and respect, at which they are venerated or worshipped. Shrines often contain idols, relics, or other such objects associated with the figure being venerated....
), with its own characteristics. One of the main requirements when building was sound, as the sermons and talks with the faithful were common practice. Almost always, the church was divided into two parts, one for the masses and another for the closing of monks. These churches did not provide a unique style but adapted to the current fashion and geographical needs. Another feature was the small number of chapels in the header, in contrast to the Cistercian churches. This is because the rules are not obliged to say daily Mass each monk, quite the contrary. Francis of Assisi
Francis of Assisi
Saint Francis of Assisi was an Italian Catholic friar and preacher. He founded the men's Franciscan Order, the women’s Order of St. Clare, and the lay Third Order of Saint Francis. St...
said in the General Chapter "In places where the monks dwell be held one Mass a day [...] but if somewhere has many priests, with a love of charity is happy listening to the mass of the other."
In terms of construction materials is characterized by poor, with little severe facade sculptures usually polygonal apse and large windows open it. Adapted and assimilated techniques and building traditions of the place to establish the new foundation, which is why churches can vary depending on geographic location. In Spain there were two models: buildings with a Latin cross and buildings with a single nave
Nave
In Romanesque and Gothic Christian abbey, cathedral basilica and church architecture, the nave is the central approach to the high altar, the main body of the church. "Nave" was probably suggested by the keel shape of its vaulting...
with chapels between buttress
Buttress
A buttress is an architectural structure built against or projecting from a wall which serves to support or reinforce the wall...
es.
In Navarre there was a proliferation of mendicant convents during the reign of Champagne, especially with Theobald II
Theobald II of Navarre
Theobald II , called the Young, was Count of Champagne and Brie and King of Navarre from 1253 until his death....
was defined as chief patron and protector. In Castilla y León were many convents but most arrived in the XXI century badly damaged.
Monasteries rejoinders
Rejoinders monasteries were those made jointly by male and female communities, in the High Middle AgesHigh Middle Ages
The High Middle Ages was the period of European history around the 11th, 12th, and 13th centuries . The High Middle Ages were preceded by the Early Middle Ages and followed by the Late Middle Ages, which by convention end around 1500....
achieved a great importance.These monasteries had their origin in the monasteries turned into family homes where whole families decided to benefit from religious rules and form a monastic community whose members spent the rest of your days without leaving the house. It was a kind of exalted fashion and the time came to commit such mistakes and excesses on many occasions received serious warnings and reprimands by the religious leaders. It was even writing a text called Regula Communis 30 especially designed for this type of monasteries. This rule also made it very clear reforming the architectural aspect that should be: all spaces should be double for the female community was separated from the male, could only share the chapter, but it should still occupy separate spaces. As for the bedrooms, not only ordered that they were separated but well away from each other.
At one point these monasteries came to be officially removed, but still, in the twelfth century, calls tuquinegras 31 nuns lived in their monasteries with a large number of monks, men who were supposed to protect and who were known by the name of milites. No buildings have been preserved these monasteries but some of their churches.
Monasteries of military orders
The Military Orders built their own monasteries that served both as a fortress of defense. Following a monastic rule and the premises of the house were like those of other monasteries. A good reference for this type of monastery is in that of Calatrava la NuevaCalatrava la Nueva
Calatrava la Nueva is a medieval castle and convent found on the peak of Alacranejo, within the municipality of Aldea del Rey, near Almagro, in the province of Ciudad Real, Spain....
, headquarters of the Order of Calatrava
Order of Calatrava
The Order of Calatrava was the first military order founded in Castile, but the second to receive papal approval. The papal bull confirming the Order of Calatrava as a Militia was given by Pope Alexander III on September 26, 1164.-Origins and Foundation:...
was founded by the Abbot of Fitero called Raymond, at the behest of King Sancho III of Castile, to protect the area restored to the Muslim
Muslim
A Muslim, also spelled Moslem, is an adherent of Islam, a monotheistic, Abrahamic religion based on the Quran, which Muslims consider the verbatim word of God as revealed to prophet Muhammad. "Muslim" is the Arabic term for "submitter" .Muslims believe that God is one and incomparable...
s. Some orders as Santiago, Temple and Holy Sepulchre devoted much of its efforts to protect and care for pilgrims on the Camino de Santiago.
- UclésUclésUclés is a municipality located in the province of Cuenca, Castile-La Mancha, Spain. According to the 2004 census , the municipality has a population of 287 inhabitants....
Monastery (now the province of CuencaCuenca (province)Cuenca is a province of central Spain, in the eastern part of the autonomous community of Castile-La Mancha.-Guide to the area:Located in a natural setting of beauty, the Old Town of Cuenca occupies a superb site between two river gorges. Famous are its 15th Century "hanging houses" , that appear...
) was since 1174 the headquarters of the Order of SantiagoOrder of SantiagoThe Order of Santiago was founded in the 12th century, and owes its name to the national patron of Galicia and Spain, Santiago , under whose banner the Christians of Galicia and Asturias began in the 9th century to combat and drive back the Muslims of the Iberian Peninsula.-History:Santiago de...
. - Montesa Castle (now the province of Valencia) came from the Aragonese Order of MontesaOrder of MontesaThe Order of Montesa is a Christian military order, territorially limited to the Kingdom of Aragon.-Templar background:The Templars had been received with enthusiasm in Aragon from their foundation in 1128...
. - The Conventual de San Benito de AlcántaraSan Benito de AlcántaraSan Benito de Alcántara is a monastery in Alcántara, in the province of Cáceres, Spain.-History:After the Christian conquest of Alcántara in 1213, the city was given to the military Order of Calatrava four years later. In 1218, they in turn ceded it to the order of San Julián de Pereiro, which...
it was of the Order of AlcántaraOrder of AlcántaraThe Order of Alcántara , also called the Knights of St. Julian, was originally a military order of León, founded in 1166 and confirmed by Pope Alexander III in 1177.-Alcántara:...
. - PonferradaPonferradaPonferrada is a city in the province of León, Castile and León, Spain. It lies on the Sil River, a tributary of the river Miño, in the El Bierzo valley, completely surrounded by mountains. It is the last major town along the French route of the Way of St. James before it reaches its destination...
Castle of the Knights TemplarKnights TemplarThe Poor Fellow-Soldiers of Christ and of the Temple of Solomon , commonly known as the Knights Templar, the Order of the Temple or simply as Templars, were among the most famous of the Western Christian military orders...
.
The monasteries on the Camino de Santiago
Along the Camino de SantiagoWay of St. James
The Way of St. James or St. James' Way is the pilgrimage route to the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Galicia in northwestern Spain, where tradition has it that the remains of the apostle Saint James are buried....
were emerging many monasteries, some have disappeared altogether. Most characteristic for the care of the pilgrims were 32 hospital
Hospital
A hospital is a health care institution providing patient treatment by specialized staff and equipment. Hospitals often, but not always, provide for inpatient care or longer-term patient stays....
s or hospice
Hospice
Hospice is a type of care and a philosophy of care which focuses on the palliation of a terminally ill patient's symptoms.In the United States and Canada:*Gentiva Health Services, national provider of hospice and home health services...
s governed by a small community of monks belonging to different orders, but many of the monasteries of this route have also attached their own hospitals. Here is a list of the most important monasteries of this route:
Navarra
- Leyre Monastery, Benedictine, focus drive of the Reconquista and refuge of kings and bishops Navarre. It has an attached guesthouse for pilgrims.
- Convento de Santo Domingo (Estella), foundation of Theobald II of Navarre in 1259.
- Monastery of Our Lady the Royal Irache, which is not on the same route of the road but in a departure from AyeguiAyeguiAyegui is a town and municipality located in the province and autonomous community of Navarre, northern Spain.-External links:* *...
. It is one of the oldest Benedictine monasteries Navarre, its origin can be Visigoths. Hospital was founded by García Sánchez III of Navarre in 1051. At present (2007) Parents Escolapios manage it.
La Rioja
- Convento de San Anton in NavarreteNavarrete, La RiojaNavarrete is a municipality of the autonomous community of La Rioja, Spain, with a population of 2,660 and an area of 28.49 km2. Named a conjunto histórico of Spain, Navarrete is located between Logroño and Nájera on the Way of St. James, a medieval pilgrim route.- Economy :Rioja wine is very...
, of which only ruins remain. Is outside these institutions properly. 33 - Monasterio de Santa María la Real de Nájera, founded by García I of LeónGarcía I of LeónGarcía I was the King of León from 910 until his death and eldest of three succeeding sons of Alfonso III the Great by his wife Jimena....
and Hospital of pilgrims. Alfonso VI joined the monastery at Cluny in 1079, to promote the pilgrimage, was against the bishop of Nájera has since moved headquarters to CalahorraCalahorraCalahorra, , La Rioja, Spain is a municipality in the comarca of Rioja Baja, near the border with Navarre on the right bank of the Ebro. During ancient Roman times, Calahorra was a municipium known as Calagurris.-Location:...
in protest. This monastery is the tomb of the kings of Navarre. Since 1895 is run by Franciscan priests. - Cañas Monastery (home of Santo Domingo de SilosSanto Domingo de SilosSanto Domingo de Silos is a municipality located in the province of Burgos, Castile and León, Spain. According to the 2004 census , the municipality has a population of 292 inhabitants....
). Female Cistercian abbey founded in 1170.
Burgos
- Monasterio de San Félix de Oca on the hill of San FelicesSan FelicesSan Felices is a municipality located in the province of Soria, Castile and León, Spain. According to the 2004 census , the municipality has a population of 81 inhabitants....
whose origin dates from the ninth century. In 1049 was annexed to San Millán de la Cogolla. According to tradition the monastery was buried Diego Porcelos, the founder of the city of Burgos. The only remaining monastic ruins of the apse of the church. - Monasterio de San Juan de Ortega. San Juan de OrtegaSan Juan de OrtegaThe old monastery of San Juan de Ortega is a Romanesque monument in Barrios de Colina, in the province of Burgos, Spain. It is commonly believed that it was built by Saint John of Ortega himself, with the help of his friend and fellow saint, Domingo de la Calzada, as a help point to the pilgrims...
founded this place more like pilgrims Hospital as a monastery. In 1170 Alfonso VIII gave up the center beneficial to the jurisdiction of Burgos and later in 1432 the Church of Burgos took over the Order of St. Jerome. - Monasterio de San Juan EvangelistaSan Juan EvangelistaSan Juan Evangelista is a municipality located in the plains of the Sotavento zone in the central zone of the State of Veracruz, about 260 km from state capital Xalapa. It has a surface of 968.94 km2...
, outside of Burgos, a former hospital complex that Alfonso VI began in 1091 under the protection of the Benedictine Abbey of Chaise-Dieu in the Haute-LoireHaute-LoireHaute-Loire is a department in south-central France named after the Loire River.-History:Haute-Loire is one of the original 83 departments created during the French Revolution on 4 March 1790...
, with San Lesmes as prior. The monastery are preserved intact some units (the chapter house and cloister), while the church convent only the facade remains. - Monasterio de las Huelgas, who ran the King's Hospital founded by Alfonso VI to the pilgrims.
- Benedictine Monastery Rocamador dependent on donations and privileges of Alfonso XI of CastileAlfonso XI of CastileAlfonso XI was the king of Castile, León and Galicia.He was the son of Ferdinand IV of Castile and his wife Constance of Portugal. Upon his father's death in 1312, several disputes ensued over who would hold regency, which were resolved in 1313...
. Was founded to provide pilgrims with a difficult transition from Road to Castrojeriz Plates. - Convento de San Antón de Castrojeriz. Monastery founded by Alfonso VII of León and Castile in 1146 for the Order of St. AnthonyHospital Brothers of St. AnthonyThe Hospital Brothers of St. Anthony, Order of St. Anthony or Canons Regular of St. Anthony of Vienne , also Antonines, were a Roman Catholic congregation founded in 1095 or so, with the purpose of caring for those suffering from the common medieval disease of St...
of French origin. They are ruins of the fourteenth century with the peculiarity that the road passes under a Gothic arch on the left being the great cover. 34 - Cistercian monastery Castrojeriz emerged in pilgrim near the Hospital founded by Count Nuño Pérez de LaraNuño Pérez de LaraNuño Pérez de Lara was a Castilian nobleman, politician and military leader. He began his career at the court of the Emperor Alfonso VII, during whose reign he took part in the repoblación of the Extremadura and the defence of the Almohad frontier...
and his wife Teresa. He was near the bridge Fitero (pons confectionery) on the river Pisuerga.
Palencia
- Benedictine Monastery, the foundation of Queen Mayor in 1035 in the town of FrómistaFrómistaFrómista is a municipality located in the province of Palencia, Castile and León, Spain. According to the 2009 data , the municipality has a population of 822 inhabitants.It is a major stopping place for pilgrims traveling along the Way of St. James....
, of which only is the church of San Martín (good example of the Romanesque of the twelfth century). - Monasterio de Santa Clara (Carrión de los CondesCarrión de los CondesCarrión de los Condes is a municipality in the province of Palencia, part of the Autonomous Community of Castile and León, Spain.It is 40 kilometers from Palencia, on the Way of Saint James.-History:...
), founded in the thirteenth century. - Former Abbey of Santa Maria, XII century, in Benevívere. There are only ruins.
- Monasterio de San Zoilo, Carrion across the river from Carrion de los Condes, a great center of refuge for pilgrims, there are the tombs of the Infantes of Carrion.
- Monasterio de Santa María de las Tiendas, XI century, belonging to the order of SantiagoOrder of SantiagoThe Order of Santiago was founded in the 12th century, and owes its name to the national patron of Galicia and Spain, Santiago , under whose banner the Christians of Galicia and Asturias began in the 9th century to combat and drive back the Muslims of the Iberian Peninsula.-History:Santiago de...
, in the locality of stores. Vestiges of the church. 35 With the remains of the monastery was built the present farmhouse.
Leon
- Monasterio de San Benito el Real de Sahagun, whose Cluniac monks arrived in 1080. Was the main abbeyAbbeyAn abbey is a Catholic monastery or convent, under the authority of an Abbot or an Abbess, who serves as the spiritual father or mother of the community.The term can also refer to an establishment which has long ceased to function as an abbey,...
around the peninsula. Grew to 60 beds for pilgrims in their own hospital. - Monasterio de San Agustin in Mansilla de las MulasMansilla de las MulasMansilla de las Mulas , Mansiella in Leonese language, is a municipality located in the province of León, Castile and León, Spain. According to the 2010 census , the municipality has a population of 1,913 inhabitants....
, disappeared, its only remnant is the Arco de San Agustín near Pilgrim Street.
Lugo
- Samos Monastery, Benedictine, with shelter for pilgrims own ancestry. The masses were housed in separate houses dependents of the abbey.
- Monasterio de la Magdalena, in SarriaSarriaSarria is a municipality in the province of Lugo, northwestern Spain, in the autonomous community of Galicia. Sarria is the most densely populate town on the French Way in Galicia, with 13 700 inhabitants...
, founding two Italian priests of the Order of St. Augustine. At present (year 2007) is in charge of Mercedarios parents are traditional welcoming pilgrims. His assistant hospital had a reputation as a landmark Jacobean relief to pilgrims. - Monasterio de Santa María de Loio, in the small village of Loio Lugo. Hermit home was restored in the ninth century by the monk Limerick. It was the birthplace of the Knights of Santiago to 1170. Almost no traces of its original location.
- Monasterio de Villar de Donas, past a place called Ligondé, it is necessary to deviate from the road to get here. It was originally a small monastery of women from the Arias family MonterrosoMonterrosoMonterroso is a municipality in Lugo province in Galicia in north-west Spain.-History:Monterroso was the seat of an important tenencia in medieval Galicia...
and in 1184 belonged to the Order of Santiago. At present (year 2007) is still standing only Romanesque church that houses paintings of the fourteenth century.
La Coruña
- Monasterio de San Martín PinarioMonasterio de San Martín PinarioThe monastery of San Martín Pinario is a Benedictine monastery in the city of Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, Spain.-External links:...
in Santiago de CompostelaSantiago de CompostelaSantiago de Compostela is the capital of the autonomous community of Galicia, Spain.The city's Cathedral is the destination today, as it has been throughout history, of the important 9th century medieval pilgrimage route, the Way of St. James...
, former Benedictine monastery, now Major Seminary. - Caaveiro MonasterySaint John of CaaveiroThe Monastery of Saint John of Caaveiro is a Spanish monastery founded in the tenth century by Saint Rudesind. It is situated in Pontedeume, Ferrolterra, Galicia, within the Fragas do Eume Natural park....
, in the Fragas do EumeFragas do EumeThe Fragas do Eume are a natural park situated in north-west Spain. Fraga is a Galician word for "natural woodland", and the park is an example of a temperate rainforest in which oak is the climax vegetation...
. - Monasterio de Sancti Spiritus (Melide) to the front entrance Melide Hospital. Only is the Romanesque church of Santa Maria, XII century, the current parish.
- Augustinian Convent (ArzúaArzúaArzúa is a municipality of Spain in the Province of A Coruña, in the autonomous community of Galicia. It has an area of 155.89 km², a population of 6,632 , and a population density of 42.54 people/km²-Demographics:...
) with its own hospital in the town of Arzúa, maintaining their church of the Madeleine and part of the fabric of the hospital.
Palaces in monasteries
The royal palacePalace
A palace is a grand residence, especially a royal residence or the home of a head of state or some other high-ranking dignitary, such as a bishop or archbishop. The word itself is derived from the Latin name Palātium, for Palatine Hill, one of the seven hills in Rome. In many parts of Europe, the...
in this institution is one of the characteristics of the Spanish monastery. 36
Entrance to the royal monastery-palace at Tordesillas
Tordesillas
Tordesillas is a town and municipality in the province of Valladolid, Castile and León, central Spain.It is located 25 km southwest of the provincial capital, Valladolid at an elevation of 704 meters. The population was c. 9,000 in 2009....
, the back facade of the Royal Palace of Peter the Cruel.
Sometimes built palaces and monasteries became real volition. Such is the case of Tordesillas, Miraflores and Paular. In other examples the case that the monastery offers a palatial residence to the king or the nobility in the days when they are forced to travel for matters relating to their own Reconquista or the fact on the roaming of the courts of Castile and Aragon. In some monasteries the palatial residence is reached to stable, so building a new building inside the compound, as in the monasteries of Poblet, Carracedo and Yuste
Yuste
Yuste Monastery is in the small village now called Cuacos de Yuste in the province of Cáceres in the autonomous community of Extremadura, Spain...
. The monastery of El Escorial
El Escorial
The Royal Seat of San Lorenzo de El Escorial is a historical residence of the king of Spain, in the town of San Lorenzo de El Escorial, about 45 kilometres northwest of the capital, Madrid, in Spain. It is one of the Spanish royal sites and functions as a monastery, royal palace, museum, and...
was conceived from the beginning with a specific architecture to house the monks and the king and his court.
Monasteries such as royal or noble pantheon
Many Spanish monasteries were built from scratch in order to house the tombTomb
A tomb is a repository for the remains of the dead. It is generally any structurally enclosed interment space or burial chamber, of varying sizes...
s of royal families or gentlemen of the nobility. To this end, the promoters made large donations of land, money and men. Keep in mind that during the Middle Ages and the Renaissance
Renaissance
The Renaissance was a cultural movement that spanned roughly the 14th to the 17th century, beginning in Italy in the Late Middle Ages and later spreading to the rest of Europe. The term is also used more loosely to refer to the historical era, but since the changes of the Renaissance were not...
was considered of vital importance that the monks in their prayers keep the memory of the dead buried near them (in churches, cloisters, cemeteries), and not only consider this important for the salvation of souls but as vanitas perpetual reminder to future generations how important they were. Among the great monasteries seen as noble or royal mausoleum
Mausoleum
A mausoleum is an external free-standing building constructed as a monument enclosing the interment space or burial chamber of a deceased person or persons. A monument without the interment is a cenotaph. A mausoleum may be considered a type of tomb or the tomb may be considered to be within the...
s are distinguished:
- San Juan de la PeñaSan Juan de la PeñaThe monastery of San Juan de la Peña is a religious complex in the town of Santa Cruz de la Serós, at the south-west of Jaca, in the province of Huesca, Spain. It was one of the most important monasteries in Aragon in the Middle Ages. Its two-level church is partially carved in the stone of the...
and San Pedro el Viejo in HuescaHuescaHuesca is a city in north-eastern Spain, within the autonomous community of Aragon. It is also the capital of the Spanish province of the same name and the comarca of Hoya de Huesca....
, where are buried the kings of Aragon until the union with Catalonia. In the first there are also kings of the kingdom of Pamplona, when the territory was in Navarre. - Santes CreusSantes CreusMonastery of Santa Maria de Santes Creus is a Cistercian monastery in the municipality of Aiguamúrcia, Catalonia, Spain.- History :The monastery's origins date to 1158, when the Lords of Montagut y de Albá donated the village of Santes Creus to the monks of Valdaura...
and Poblet, kings of the Crown of Aragon. - Ripoll, with the counts of BarcelonaBarcelonaBarcelona is the second largest city in Spain after Madrid, and the capital of Catalonia, with a population of 1,621,537 within its administrative limits on a land area of...
before its union with Aragon. - Najera and Leyre, monasteries elected by the dynasties of Navarra.
- San Isidoro de León, which are buried many of the Kings of Leon.
- San Salvador de OñaSan Salvador de OñaSan Salvador de Oña is a monastery in Oña, in the province of Burgos, central Spain.It was founded in 1011 by Sancho García, count of Castile, for his daughter Tigridia. In 1033 it was assigned to the Cistercian Order. In 1506 it went to the Benedictines of Valladolid. It was damaged during the...
(Burgos), converted at county and regional cemetery in the second half of the twelfth century. - Las Huelgas Reales de Burgos, chosen by the Castilian monarchs.
- Cartuja de Miraflores at Burgos, where he chose his burial Juan II of Castile and which also buried his second wife and his son Alfonso.
- The Salesians in Madrid, where lies Fernando VI (the founder) and his wife Barbara of Braganza.
- El EscorialEl EscorialThe Royal Seat of San Lorenzo de El Escorial is a historical residence of the king of Spain, in the town of San Lorenzo de El Escorial, about 45 kilometres northwest of the capital, Madrid, in Spain. It is one of the Spanish royal sites and functions as a monastery, royal palace, museum, and...
, considered as a prototype at his funeral aspect, but is the most modern of all. There are the mausoleums of the royal families of the Habsburg and BourbonHouse of BourbonThe House of Bourbon is a European royal house, a branch of the Capetian dynasty . Bourbon kings first ruled Navarre and France in the 16th century. By the 18th century, members of the Bourbon dynasty also held thrones in Spain, Naples, Sicily, and Parma...
. - San Román de HornijaSan Román de HornijaSan Román de Hornija is a municipality located in the province of Valladolid, Castile and León, Spain. According to the 2004 census , the municipality has a population of 425 inhabitants....
, in Valladolid, which was originally a monastery founded by Chindasvinto Visigoth for his own burial and his wife Reciberga (or Reciwerga).
Among the monasteries, cemeteries and burial of the family of the nobility, there are:
- LoechesLoechesLoeches is a municipality of the Community of Madrid, Spain....
Monastery with the burial of the Count-Duke of Olivares and his descendants the Dukes of Alba. This is a side chapel. - San Francisco de Guadalajara, to the Dukes of Infantry to build a cryptCryptIn architecture, a crypt is a stone chamber or vault beneath the floor of a burial vault possibly containing sarcophagi, coffins or relics....
. - San Jerónimo de Granada, whose founder, Grand Master, declined buried there.
- San Jerónimo de Cotalba in Alfahuir, (Valencia), which are buried the Infantes Don Juan and Doña Blanca de Aragón.
- Monasterio del Parral in SegoviaSegoviaSegovia is a city in Spain, the capital of Segovia Province in the autonomous community of Castile and León. It is situated north of Madrid, 30 minutes by high speed train. The municipality counts some 55,500 inhabitants.-Etymology:...
, which holds the tomb of the Marquis de Villena. - Monasterio de Santa Paula in SevilleSevilleSeville is the artistic, historic, cultural, and financial capital of southern Spain. It is the capital of the autonomous community of Andalusia and of the province of Seville. It is situated on the plain of the River Guadalquivir, with an average elevation of above sea level...
, with the Marquis de Montemayor. - Santa María la Real de Nájera, which has an important pantheon of the Knights.
- Porta Coeli monastery in Valladolid, with the burial of its promoter and benefactor Rodrigo Calderón, Count of OlivaRodrigo Calderón, Count of OlivaDon Rodrigo Calderón, Conde de la Oliva de Plasencia, Marqués de Siete Iglesias was a favorite minister of the Duke of Lerma, while the latter was valido or valued minister of King Philip III of Spain...
, favorite of the Duke of Lerma. - Monasterio de San Pedro de Cardena, where he was buried El CidEl CidRodrigo Díaz de Vivar , known as El Cid Campeador , was a Castilian nobleman, military leader, and diplomat...
, whose family was specifically tied to him (his wife and daughters took refuge during his exile). In the War of Independence was sacked by the French army and his grave desecrated.
Monasteries (or convents) as a learning center
These monasteries have their main activity in educationEducation
Education in its broadest, general sense is the means through which the aims and habits of a group of people lives on from one generation to the next. Generally, it occurs through any experience that has a formative effect on the way one thinks, feels, or acts...
and school
School
A school is an institution designed for the teaching of students under the direction of teachers. Most countries have systems of formal education, which is commonly compulsory. In these systems, students progress through a series of schools...
education, of concern to the community. The agencies and the religious way of life no different from other monasteries, only different working hours because instead of cultivating the land, their work is channeled to education and education. Examples of such monastery is the Convent of Santo Domingo as the University of Orihuela (known as the Colegio de Santo Domingo) and the convent of San Esteban de Murcia.
The major universities (University of Salamanca
University of Salamanca
The University of Salamanca is a Spanish higher education institution, located in the town of Salamanca, west of Madrid. It was founded in 1134 and given the Royal charter of foundation by King Alfonso IX in 1218. It is the oldest founded university in Spain and the third oldest European...
, Universidad de Valladolid and University of Alcalá
University of Alcalá
The University of Alcalá is a public university located in Alcalá de Henares, a city 35 km northeast of Madrid in Spain. Founded in 1499, it was moved in 1836 to Madrid. In 1977, the University was reopened in its same historical buildings...
) were closely linked to the regular clergy by religious orders who controlled their schools, mostly Dominicans and Augustinians, the Jesuits were added from the first century XVI. In university towns were important monastic or conventual foundations, such as the Dominican Convent of San Esteban de Salamanca.
Urbanised Monasteries or Convents
It is generally known to those monasteries monastery are located within the village and also tend to belong to the so-called mendicant orders, but should not be taken as a general rule because sometimes these convents were built inside but not outside the city, although course in close proximity and never in the countryside and away from cities as they came by the Benedictines and Cistercians, even small hermitageHermitage (religious retreat)
Although today's meaning is usually a place where a hermit lives in seclusion from the world, hermitage was more commonly used to mean a settlement where a person or a group of people lived religiously, in seclusion.-Western Christian Tradition:...
s.
Although essentially no distance themselves from traditional monasteries have their own architectural characteristics. The buildings are not in most cases surrounded by a wall or fence that isolates, being the only walls that rise to the garden
Garden
A garden is a planned space, usually outdoors, set aside for the display, cultivation, and enjoyment of plants and other forms of nature. The garden can incorporate both natural and man-made materials. The most common form today is known as a residential garden, but the term garden has...
or orchard
Orchard
An orchard is an intentional planting of trees or shrubs that is maintained for food production. Orchards comprise fruit or nut-producing trees which are grown for commercial production. Orchards are also sometimes a feature of large gardens, where they serve an aesthetic as well as a productive...
. The windows look out onto the streets of the city so it is necessary to protect the ends with a closing blinds. Citizens have direct access to the building of the church and inside it only makes a closing paragraph for the religious (monks or nuns). Inside the church, the pulpit
Pulpit
Pulpit is a speakers' stand in a church. In many Christian churches, there are two speakers' stands at the front of the church. Typically, the one on the left is called the pulpit...
becomes a very important element because these congregations have as main goal to instruct and speak directly to the faithful.
Barefoot Royals around Valladolid
Female convents there are other elements that characterize them, as the existence of a lathe, the only element of contact with the outside from the goal and the fact the church building (sometimes) a high choir and a choir under the feet or a choir under the side of the chancel
Chancel
In church architecture, the chancel is the space around the altar in the sanctuary at the liturgical east end of a traditional Christian church building...
, communion rail fitted with iron bars.
Most of these urban monasteries proliferated during the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries throughout the Spanish territory.
Decline and events occurring in the Spanish monasteries
Torreón del Monasterio de San Román de Entrepeñas, the only thing left standing after the confiscation of Mendizabal.Many of the Hispanic monasteries were abandoned, forgotten and lost, some even in historical memory. The medieval monasteries were maintained, although some were plundering and burning, to recover from these tragedies with new reconstructions.
The nineteenth century was crucial for the conservation of these monastic buildings. The Spanish War of Independence brought many calamities, being chosen these places for quartering and provisioning of French troops and in some cases the churches were turned into stables or kitchens. Were fired for heating and cooking, with subsequent consequences. Many of the tombs were desecrated in search of possible treasures or for the mere pleasure of destroying, apart from robbery
Robbery
Robbery is the crime of taking or attempting to take something of value by force or threat of force or by putting the victim in fear. At common law, robbery is defined as taking the property of another, with the intent to permanently deprive the person of that property, by means of force or fear....
and theft
Theft
In common usage, theft is the illegal taking of another person's property without that person's permission or consent. The word is also used as an informal shorthand term for some crimes against property, such as burglary, embezzlement, larceny, looting, robbery, shoplifting and fraud...
of works of art that carries the special atmosphere of a war. In some cases, the destruction was deliberately planned with a goal of social transformation
Social transformation
One definition of Social transformation is the process by which an individual alters the socially ascribed social status of their parents into a socially achieved status for themselves. However another definition refers to large scale social change as in cultural reforms or transformations...
: this was the case of demolishing 37 convents in Madrid
Madrid
Madrid is the capital and largest city of Spain. The population of the city is roughly 3.3 million and the entire population of the Madrid metropolitan area is calculated to be 6.271 million. It is the third largest city in the European Union, after London and Berlin, and its metropolitan...
and the convent of San Francisco (Valladolid).
Ruinas del Monasterio de San Pedro de Arlanza.
After years of peace, building restoration and recovery of scattered pieces, monasteries were again involved in the events of the Carlist Wars
Carlist Wars
The Carlist Wars in Spain were the last major European civil wars in which contenders fought to establish their claim to a throne. Several times during the period from 1833 to 1876 the Carlists — followers of Infante Carlos and his descendants — rallied to the cry of "God, Country, and King" and...
, the identification of the Carlist and the clergy, most notably the burning of convents 1835, which included a massacre
Massacre
A massacre is an event with a heavy death toll.Massacre may also refer to:-Entertainment:*Massacre , a DC Comics villain*Massacre , a 1932 drama film starring Richard Barthelmess*Massacre, a 1956 Western starring Dane Clark...
of monks. Finally, in this century, the various confiscation
Confiscation
Confiscation, from the Latin confiscatio 'joining to the fiscus, i.e. transfer to the treasury' is a legal seizure without compensation by a government or other public authority...
s ended with the heritage of most medieval monasteries. Many of their churches were spared because they became parishes who took a new life. In some cases, other provincial institutions and individuals came forward to museums where you can keep coming up with artistic pieces rescued, including parts of its architecture. The monastic ruins went on to become a commonplace of romanticism
Romanticism
Romanticism was an artistic, literary and intellectual movement that originated in the second half of the 18th century in Europe, and gained strength in reaction to the Industrial Revolution...
, and poets and musicians seeking inspiration in them. They are outstanding stays Fryderyk Chopin and George Sand
George Sand
Amantine Lucile Aurore Dupin, later Baroness Dudevant , best known by her pseudonym George Sand , was a French novelist and memoirist.-Life:...
in the Cartuja de Valldemossa
Valldemossa Charterhouse
The Valldemossa Charterhouse is a former Carthusian monastery in Valldemossa, Majorca.- History :...
secularized (Mallorca
Mallorca
Majorca or Mallorca is an island located in the Mediterranean Sea, one of the Balearic Islands.The capital of the island, Palma, is also the capital of the autonomous community of the Balearic Islands. The Cabrera Archipelago is administratively grouped with Majorca...
) and Gustavo Adolfo Bécquer
Gustavo Adolfo Bécquer
Gustavo Adolfo Domínguez Bastida, better known as Gustavo Adolfo Bécquer, was a Spanish post-romanticist writer of poetry and short stories, now considered one of the most important figures in Spanish literature. He adopted the alias of Bécquer as his brother Valeriano Bécquer, a painter, had...
brothers and Domínguez Valeriano Becquer in the Cistercian Monastery Veruela (Zaragoza).
In the last quarter of the nineteenth century, with the Restoration, there was a political climate
Political climate
The political climate is the aggregate, current mood and opinions of a populace about political issues that also currently affect that population. It is generally used to describe a state of change in mood and opinions rather than a state of equilibrium...
more favorable to the founding of new religious orders and the restoration of the old, and some monasteries were able to revive the monastic life.
In the first third of the twentieth century, curled the political and social critical junctures, came back to light the old Spanish anticlericalism in time as the Tragic Week in Barcelona in 1909. In 1910, the Law of the lock that prevented the establishment of new religious congregations. In 1931, shortly after the proclamation of the Second Spanish Republic
Second Spanish Republic
The Second Spanish Republic was the government of Spain between April 14 1931, and its destruction by a military rebellion, led by General Francisco Franco....
was a new burning of convents, but much more serious was the destruction during the Spanish Civil War
Spanish Civil War
The Spanish Civil WarAlso known as The Crusade among Nationalists, the Fourth Carlist War among Carlists, and The Rebellion or Uprising among Republicans. was a major conflict fought in Spain from 17 July 1936 to 1 April 1939...
, with thousands of victims among the clergy.
In the last quarter century, both the Spanish state and private estates (Savings Banks, Associations, Trusts, etc..) Became aware of the great ruined monastic heritage was lost, great buildings abandoned or poorly maintained but still remained standing part of its architecture
Architecture
Architecture is both the process and product of planning, designing and construction. Architectural works, in the material form of buildings, are often perceived as cultural and political symbols and as works of art...
and began the quest to give them a meaning and relevance, such as rehabilitation for museum
Museum
A museum is an institution that cares for a collection of artifacts and other objects of scientific, artistic, cultural, or historical importance and makes them available for public viewing through exhibits that may be permanent or temporary. Most large museums are located in major cities...
s, cultural centers, schools or farm foremen, etc. 38
The architectural complex of Spanish monasteries
The monastery and its dependencies eventually consolidated with the Benedictine Order of Cluny in Romanesque period in the early Middle AgesEarly Middle Ages
The Early Middle Ages was the period of European history lasting from the 5th century to approximately 1000. The Early Middle Ages followed the decline of the Western Roman Empire and preceded the High Middle Ages...
. The monks of Cluny spread throughout Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
and founded the monasteries whose architectural structure would henceforth be an example to follow, with minor variations in some monastic orders. 39 In a general way and taking into account possible differences can be described briefly the parts of the Spanish monastery complex.
External Signs of buildings
In many monasteries and convents is usual cruise ship construction and small chapels that served as a shrine, located in the vast expanse of the garden. So is the construction of fountainFountain
A fountain is a piece of architecture which pours water into a basin or jets it into the air either to supply drinking water or for decorative or dramatic effect....
s and the well
Water well
A water well is an excavation or structure created in the ground by digging, driving, boring or drilling to access groundwater in underground aquifers. The well water is drawn by an electric submersible pump, a trash pump, a vertical turbine pump, a handpump or a mechanical pump...
which is usually open in the center or side of the courtyard.
On the walls appears repeatedly image of the patron saint
Patron saint
A patron saint is a saint who is regarded as the intercessor and advocate in heaven of a nation, place, craft, activity, class, clan, family, or person...
of the warrant or the title holder of the church. 40 Sometimes the title is kept original foundation of the monastery and sometimes switches to receive the relics of a saint local or foreign.
As abundant sculptural decoration shields among them are those of the monastic order as appropriate, those of kings or noble founders or sponsors, bishop
Bishop
A bishop is an ordained or consecrated member of the Christian clergy who is generally entrusted with a position of authority and oversight. Within the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox Churches, in the Assyrian Church of the East, in the Independent Catholic Churches, and in the...
s (where applicable) and the arms of the city. It is also common to see figures representing the founder.
An important addition is the tower or steeple whose bell simple act as municipal clock. The language of the bells was very important during the Middle Ages and Renaissance as well as representing the time was the town crier announcing events. 41
The church
The churches of the monasteries have some features that differentiate them from those of secular clergySecular clergy
The term secular clergy refers to deacons and priests who are not monastics or members of a religious order.-Catholic Church:In the Catholic Church, the secular clergy are ministers, such as deacons and priests, who do not belong to a religious order...
, especially in regard to the chorus, vestries
Vestry
A vestry is a room in or attached to a church or synagogue in which the vestments, vessels, records, etc., are kept , and in which the clergy and choir robe or don their vestments for divine service....
and penitential cells. In all other respects follow the same rules and practice space is dedicated to the liturgy
Liturgy
Liturgy is either the customary public worship done by a specific religious group, according to its particular traditions or a more precise term that distinguishes between those religious groups who believe their ritual requires the "people" to do the "work" of responding to the priest, and those...
, with the center of spiritual life and religious communities.
Always oriented to the east, like other Christian churches (except in cases where the place names force a placement). Its plan is a Latin cross transept
Transept
For the periodical go to The Transept.A transept is a transverse section, of any building, which lies across the main body of the building. In Christian churches, a transept is an area set crosswise to the nave in a cruciform building in Romanesque and Gothic Christian church architecture...
and apse
Apse
In architecture, the apse is a semicircular recess covered with a hemispherical vault or semi-dome...
or apses. They usually have three gates: the main foot, which gives access to outdoor and open one of the side walls to give way to the cloister (with exclusive use of the monks) and a third located in the crossing, which leads to sacristy.
Side chapels and shrines
In the monasteries there is a lot of chapels or altarAltar
An altar is any structure upon which offerings such as sacrifices are made for religious purposes. Altars are usually found at shrines, and they can be located in temples, churches and other places of worship...
s simply placed in small spaces due to the requirement that the monks had to say daily Mass each. However, in the women's monasteries there is no such need because there is only one chaplain
Chaplain
Traditionally, a chaplain is a minister in a specialized setting such as a priest, pastor, rabbi, or imam or lay representative of a religion attached to a secular institution such as a hospital, prison, military unit, police department, university, or private chapel...
for the entire community. This reasoning applies to the sacristy
Sacristy
A sacristy is a room for keeping vestments and other church furnishings, sacred vessels, and parish records.The sacristy is usually located inside the church, but in some cases it is an annex or separate building...
, which are very spacious in the monasteries and that they both are of various officiating.
Presbytery
It's where you place the altar and the altar (at the time they are installed retablos) which is usually chaired by the sculpture of the patron saint of the monastery. In some, this image is tucked into a niche whose back is appropriate to visit and pilgrimage of the faithful. Such is the case of the monastery of the Virgin of Guadalupe.Choir
In the Spanish monasteries is customary for the choir is in the middle of the nave of the church, separated from the chancel by the cruise ship. It can also be located in the apse behind the main altar, surrounding the circular wall. The choir in the middle of the ship is an enclosed space that is usually surrounded by a fence. Inside, is furnished with seating that is usually very important as its artistic elaboration is used to instruct artists. Both boards of the armrests and backs mercy 42 are profusely decorated with carvings that are iconographic programs of animal symbols, mythologyMythology
The term mythology can refer either to the study of myths, or to a body or collection of myths. As examples, comparative mythology is the study of connections between myths from different cultures, whereas Greek mythology is the body of myths from ancient Greece...
, allegories
Allegory
Allegory is a demonstrative form of representation explaining meaning other than the words that are spoken. Allegory communicates its message by means of symbolic figures, actions or symbolic representation...
, genre scenes, etc. In the center of the choir is called lectern furniture that supports the great liturgical choral music book, written in large characters that can be read from afar by the monks. On one side is the national musical instrument par excellence.
The cloister
The quintessential medieval Spanish cloister is the Benedictine whose pattern is spread throughout Christian Europe. Its construction consists of four galleries called pandas, one of them stuck to the south or north nave nave of the church. The panda that is dedicated always to the chapter house and another small unit. The west panda houses usually the area cilla and laymen, and the panda border to the church has the refectory and kitchen calefactory in some monasteries call profundis room makes way for the refectory where the monks chant Psalm"De profundis ad te Dominum clamavi ..."
Psalm 130
Psalm 130
Psalm 130 , traditionally De profundis from its Latin incipit, is one of the Penitential psalms.-Commentary:...
(129)
Nursing, pharmacy and herb garden
One of the ordinances clearer and more insistent of San Benito was to exercise charity toward the sick poor. To this end, many hospitals created in the grounds of the monastery or in some remote areas. Inside the monastery there was a nurse who used the friars themselves or, occasionally, a patient visitor. As a complement to nursing were created and drugstores to supply products to these pharmaciesPharmacy
Pharmacy is the health profession that links the health sciences with the chemical sciences and it is charged with ensuring the safe and effective use of pharmaceutical drugs...
were created gardens of herbs or garden shop. The monastery was so self supplied to the chapter on health. In some cases it was necessary to create a pharmacy even greater than might meet the needs required by the town or village that had grown up around the monastery. So it was with the pharmacy of the monastery of Santo Domingo de Silos, which was founded in 1705 at the request of the town of Silos
Santo Domingo de Silos
Santo Domingo de Silos is a municipality located in the province of Burgos, Castile and León, Spain. According to the 2004 census , the municipality has a population of 292 inhabitants....
. It became a famous chemist and recognized in the region and today (year 2007) is quite well preserved and displayed as a museum and as an example and study of what was a monastic pharmacy. Has the particularity to preserve a collection of jars produced in Talavera de la Reina, especially for the center, with the coat of arms of the monastery.
Of aromatic gardens cultivated by the monks is known to have written many of them. In the monastery of Santa Maria de Matallana in the province of Valladolid, after the reconstruction of the ruins were recovered space that monks had been devoted to this garden, growing plants that are known to have been in that spot. Another major pharmacy was the monastery of San Julián de Samos in the province of Lugo
Lugo (province)
Lugo is a province of northwestern Spain, in the northeastern part of the autonomous community of Galicia. It is bordered by the provinces of Ourense, Pontevedra, and A Coruña, the principality of Asturias, the State of León, and in the north by the Cantabrian Sea .The population is 356,595 , of...
, still shows up as a museum. 43
The apothecaries
Apothecary
Apothecary is a historical name for a medical professional who formulates and dispenses materia medica to physicians, surgeons and patients — a role now served by a pharmacist and some caregivers....
were served by the monks themselves specialized. They carried out all relevant tasks for the manufacture of medicine
Medicine
Medicine is the science and art of healing. It encompasses a variety of health care practices evolved to maintain and restore health by the prevention and treatment of illness....
s, ointments, and spirits both medicinal and otherwise. In many of these pharmacies are conserved among other tools, the stills used for distillation
Distillation
Distillation is a method of separating mixtures based on differences in volatilities of components in a boiling liquid mixture. Distillation is a unit operation, or a physical separation process, and not a chemical reaction....
.
Scriptorium (desktop) and library
In the High and Late Medieval culture was in the hands of the monks of the monasteries. It was there that was brewing literature and science, where he wrote books or manuscripts were copied and where they were translations. Many of these monasteries of high culture had its own scriptoriumScriptorium
Scriptorium, literally "a place for writing", is commonly used to refer to a room in medieval European monasteries devoted to the copying of manuscripts by monastic scribes...
, in a collection and well set, furnished with benches, desks and shelves and equipped with pens, parchment, inks and other tools needed for writing and painting miniatures. 44 Judging by the illuminated manuscripts preserved in Catalonia is suspected that the number of monasteries with desks should be abundant. The Royal Monastery of Santa María de Vallbona had an important desk where they came from large specimens. Also, his library was very famous.
In the monastery of Montserrat
Montserrat
Montserrat is a British overseas territory located in the Leeward Islands, part of the chain of islands called the Lesser Antilles in the West Indies. This island measures approximately long and wide, giving of coastline...
there is a good library in spite of the vicissitudes of wars and fires, which has 400 incunabula. From the Desk of Real Monasterio de Nuestra Senora de Rueda
Real Monasterio de Nuestra Senora de Rueda
Rueda Abbey or Rueda de Ebro Abbey is a former Cistercian monastery in Sástago in the Ribera Baja del Ebro comarca, province of Zaragoza, Aragon, Spain, 74 kilometres to the south-east of Zaragoza on the left bank of the Ebro...
in Aragon still retains its space.
Other library to take into account was that of Santa María de Huerta
Santa María de Huerta
Santa María de Huerta is a municipality located in the province of Soria, Castile and León, Spain. According to the 2004 census , the municipality has a population of 419 inhabitants....
, Soria whose salon was built in the twelfth century and decorated in the XVII. In the monastery of Valvanera endures even its rich library where records are kept speaking of a specimen that had the Polyglot Bible Valvanera, Philip II
Philip II of Spain
Philip II was King of Spain, Portugal, Naples, Sicily, and, while married to Mary I, King of England and Ireland. He was lord of the Seventeen Provinces from 1556 until 1581, holding various titles for the individual territories such as duke or count....
took him to El Escorial
El Escorial
The Royal Seat of San Lorenzo de El Escorial is a historical residence of the king of Spain, in the town of San Lorenzo de El Escorial, about 45 kilometres northwest of the capital, Madrid, in Spain. It is one of the Spanish royal sites and functions as a monastery, royal palace, museum, and...
and destroyed in a fire there. In Galicia, the famous monastery of San Julián de Samos had a great library that was burned in a fire in the late twentieth century. Famous and rich is also the library of El Escorial.
Cemetery for monks
Usually the monks were buried in the cloisters where pandas are building a crypt. The Cistercian monks were buried directly in the ground (without a coffinCoffin
A coffin is a funerary box used in the display and containment of dead people – either for burial or cremation.Contemporary North American English makes a distinction between "coffin", which is generally understood to denote a funerary box having six sides in plan view, and "casket", which...
) and face down. The abbots were buried in the chapter.
Other units
One of the most important in a monastery is the gardenGarden
A garden is a planned space, usually outdoors, set aside for the display, cultivation, and enjoyment of plants and other forms of nature. The garden can incorporate both natural and man-made materials. The most common form today is known as a residential garden, but the term garden has...
, large or small. Is the supply for subsistence, and it was treated with great care. The large monasteries had large gardens with all kinds of facilities, from fountains, canal
Canal
Canals are man-made channels for water. There are two types of canal:#Waterways: navigable transportation canals used for carrying ships and boats shipping goods and conveying people, further subdivided into two kinds:...
s and wells. In some minor orders convents were often built small chapels or oratories
Oratory
Oratory is a type of public speaking.Oratory may also refer to:* Oratory , a power metal band* Oratory , a place of worship* a religious order such as** Oratory of Saint Philip Neri ** Oratory of Jesus...
where the monks came for the times to do penance and spiritual retreat.
Sometimes inn
INN
InterNetNews is a Usenet news server package, originally released by Rich Salz in 1991, and presented at the Summer 1992 USENIX conference in San Antonio, Texas...
s were built outside the closure area. Over time and with the growing authority of the abbot was wont to build their own house, where he received the important sights.
In large monasteries had supply not only for subsistence but for a strong economy, had all kinds workshops, foundries, mills, potteries, wineries, etc.
Heritage
Despite the great avatars suffered by the Spanish monasteries (fire, theft, plundering, confiscations, laziness) remains still a considerable heritage of art furniture. 45Since its inception the foundations of the monasteries tried to get the house out of the more austere
Asceticism
Asceticism describes a lifestyle characterized by abstinence from various sorts of worldly pleasures often with the aim of pursuing religious and spiritual goals...
, without admitting any external signs of wealth. But maintaining this position was virtually impossible because of the willingness of lay founders, sponsors and donors that their gifts considered as something very special that was to prove their place in society, power, or simply your good taste. On the other hand, burials chosen by these characters and themselves constituted a show of luxury and artistic value. For all these monasteries were built up over the centuries a rich heritage in art, the show could not escape even the Carthusian Order, considered the most strict and hard. 46
In the Renaissance and Baroque period were built the great altar of the chapel and the other smaller chapels, following the new concept of post-Counter liturgical life. Thus arose the sculptor altarpieces as Damián Forment
Damián Forment
Damià Forment was a Spanish architect and sculptor, considered the most important Spanish sculptor of the 16th century.Forment studied in Rome and Florence before returning to his native town of Valencia...
in the monastery of Poblet, which resulted from spending so high that led to the revolt of the monks against the abbot. 47 Another example of a huge altarpiece was in the monastery of San Benito el Real de Valladolid, a masterpiece of Berruguete Alonso
Alonso Berruguete
Alonso González de Berruguete was a Spanish painter, sculptor and architect. He is considered to be the most important sculptor of the Spanish Renaissance, and is known for his emotive sculptures depicting religious ecstasy or torment.Born in the town of Paredes de Nava, Berrugete studied art...
, whose lengths are kept at present (2007) at the National Museum of Sculpture in the city.
The vestries were particularly enriched not only with the necessary furniture but adorned with works of famous painters, usually surrounded with valuable frames. Also on the walls of the churches or cloisters or stairs and hallways of the buildings hung paintings of kings or nobility ordered from his favorite painters to enrich their patronage. 48
Are still numerous liturgical pieces, large pieces of jewelry, which are stored in many monasteries displayed in glass cases and suits textile items, vestments and other garments. Some monasteries are by themselves a veritable museum of art, like the Royal Barefoot Madrid. Others have opened up within its walls (taking advantage of old farms) where to place a museum and recovered missing pieces, such is the case of Poblet whose museum occupies the area that was the Palace of King Martin the Humane in Poblet. As for the treasure that is the preservation of valuable books, and reference is made in the Library section.
Some notable monasteries
Some monasteries are especially remarkable history or just curious. The short relationship that is done here does not imply that these monasteries are the best or most important, but simply in its history with something different to offer.Monastery of San Benito el Real de Sahagún
Was so important and so powerful that it has come to call the Spanish Cluny. It was the most powerful Benedictine monastery and arrogant of the Middle Ages in the Kingdom of LeónKingdom of León
The Kingdom of León was an independent kingdom situated in the northwest region of the Iberian Peninsula. It was founded in AD 910 when the Christian princes of Asturias along the northern coast of the peninsula shifted their capital from Oviedo to the city of León...
. Protected and promoted by King Alfonso VI which, among other privileges granted to preserve the protected Urraca also gave him the right to carve its own currency and favored by King Alfonso VII who donates the Jews of the town in as vassals. Its heritage spanning over part of the provinces of León, Valladolid, Palencia, Zamora
Zamora (province)
Zamora is a Spanish province of western Spain, in the western part of the autonomous community of Castile and León.The present-day province of Zamora province was one of three provinces formed from the former Kingdom of León in 1833, when Spain was re-organised into 49 provinces.It is bordered by...
and Cantabria, thus counting with a huge number of subjects under their jurisdiction, much more numerous than those who had some key people at the time. From the religious point of view, Sahagun was the center were officially launched for the first time (at the behest of Pope Gregory VII) the new Roman liturgy in place of the old Spanish Mozarabic Rite
Mozarabic Rite
The Mozarabic, Visigothic, or Hispanic Rite is a form of Catholic worship within the Latin Rite of the Catholic Church, and in the Spanish Reformed Episcopal Church . Its beginning dates to the 7th century, and is localized in the Iberian Peninsula...
. 49 The father and the father Yepes Sandoval come to list 50 to 60 monasteries and a large number of churches depended Sahagún. Besides his influence came from Toledo and from Cantabria Rioja to Galicia.
Monastery of San Benito el Real Valladolid
Its founding in 1389 brought a new reform of the Benedictine order under the royal protection of Juan I and the blessing of Pope Clement VIIPope Clement VII
Clement VII , born Giulio di Giuliano de' Medici, was a cardinal from 1513 to 1523 and was Pope from 1523 to 1534.-Early life:...
, and once again had taken the relaxation in the customs of the black monks forgetting the strict rule San Benito went so far as to sleep outside the monasteries. Here was introduced an exemplary religious life under the rule of St. Benedict. The closure was the property of the monastery, not only from the standpoint of physical and spiritual, but double gate was installed in the openings. Since the principle was established with toughness and authority perpetual abstinence, fasting, daily habits and severity in the rooms, generosity to the needy at the time of sharing food, money and fuel. The example of this monastery Valladolid soon ensued during the fifteenth century and the reform under various Benedictine monasteries became dependent on it Valladolid, to the extent that did the Congregation of San Benito de Valladolid, after the bull of Pope Alexander VI
Pope Alexander VI
Pope Alexander VI , born Roderic Llançol i Borja was Pope from 1492 until his death on 18 August 1503. He is one of the most controversial of the Renaissance popes, and his Italianized surname—Borgia—became a byword for the debased standards of the Papacy of that era, most notoriously the Banquet...
. To this end, there were a large number of general chapters were drafted the relevant constitutions.
Monastery of Poblet
Foundation of the Count of Barcelona Ramon Berenguer IV. He was part of the four great Cistercian abbeys of ChristendomChristendom
Christendom, or the Christian world, has several meanings. In a cultural sense it refers to the worldwide community of Christians, adherents of Christianity...
with Clairvaux (in the valley of Absinthe, France), the Great Forest (in Languedoc), Fontfreda (near Narbonne). In 1340 Peter sent Ceremonioso create the royal pantheon and nobility, which became an important center for burial. The abbots of Poblet became very powerful part of the clergy who had power in Parliament
Parliament
A parliament is a legislature, especially in those countries whose system of government is based on the Westminster system modeled after that of the United Kingdom. The name is derived from the French , the action of parler : a parlement is a discussion. The term came to mean a meeting at which...
. There was even some abbot who became president of the Generalitat. The involvement of the abbots in Catalan wars became apparent.
Monastery of La Rabida
It is a Franciscan monastery in the town of Palos de la FronteraPalos de la Frontera
Palos de la Frontera is a town and municipality located in the southwestern Spanish province of Huelva, in the autonomous community of Andalusia. It is situated some from the provincial capital, Huelva...
, in Huelva province. This was an important place in the history of Spain since its closure in the long conversations took place between the friars and Fray Antonio de Marchena Friar Juan Perez and Colon during the four visits he made. The monks helped and supported to Columbus to the Catholic Monarchs. It lies on the route called Columbian sites. 51
Monastery of San Millán de la Cogolla
In this small and humble monastery was first written annotations or glosses called Emilian Glosses written in romance (a Castilian little respect yet evolved from Latin) and two or three in Euskera, by what has been considered the cradle of those languages .Monastery of Guadalupe
It had a famous scriptorium which led to a series of illuminated books, many of which are preserved in the museum of the monastery. It is interesting to highlight the image of the Virgin of Guadalupe to be had from the Middle Ages a considerable devotion that was taken by the discoverers of ExtremaduraExtremadura
Extremadura is an autonomous community of western Spain whose capital city is Mérida. Its component provinces are Cáceres and Badajoz. It is bordered by Portugal to the west...
to the Americas. Especially in Mexico is a great veneration.
The monastery is a place of pilgrimage known historical figures who passed through it as pilgrims: Christopher Columbus
Christopher Columbus
Christopher Columbus was an explorer, colonizer, and navigator, born in the Republic of Genoa, in northwestern Italy. Under the auspices of the Catholic Monarchs of Spain, he completed four voyages across the Atlantic Ocean that led to general European awareness of the American continents in the...
, Hernan Cortes
Hernán Cortés
Hernán Cortés de Monroy y Pizarro, 1st Marquis of the Valley of Oaxaca was a Spanish Conquistador who led an expedition that caused the fall of the Aztec Empire and brought large portions of mainland Mexico under the rule of the King of Castile in the early 16th century...
, King Sebastian of Portugal
Sebastian of Portugal
Sebastian "the Desired" was the 16th king of Portugal and the Algarves. He was the son of Prince John of Portugal and his wife, Joan of Spain...
, Teresa de Jesus Buenfil, Lope de Vega
Lope de Vega
Félix Arturo Lope de Vega y Carpio was a Spanish playwright and poet. He was one of the key figures in the Spanish Golden Century Baroque literature...
and Pope John Paul II
Pope John Paul II
Blessed Pope John Paul II , born Karol Józef Wojtyła , reigned as Pope of the Catholic Church and Sovereign of Vatican City from 16 October 1978 until his death on 2 April 2005, at of age. His was the second-longest documented pontificate, which lasted ; only Pope Pius IX ...
(in 1982.)
Monastery of Santo Toribio de Liebana
Founded in the sixth century in the Cantabrian region of LiébanaLiébana
Liébana is a comarca of Cantabria .It covers 570 square kilometers and is located in the southwest of Cantabria, bordering Asturias, León and Palencia...
, receives from the eighth century a relic of the True Cross
True Cross
The True Cross is the name for physical remnants which, by a Christian tradition, are believed to be from the cross upon which Jesus was crucified.According to post-Nicene historians, Socrates Scholasticus and others, the Empress Helena The True Cross is the name for physical remnants which, by a...
(supposedly the largest fragment preserved). At the same time the monk Beatus of Liébana
Beatus of Liébana
Saint Beatus of Liébana was a monk, theologian and geographer from the Kingdom of Asturias, in modern northern Spain, who worked and lived in the Picos de Europa mountains of the region of Liébana, in what is now Cantabria and his feast day is February 19.-Biography:He created an important...
wrote two works of great significance: the Commentary on Revelation (of which several copies are preserved valuable illustrations) and the refutation of heresy that had spread adoptionist between Mozarabic Christians under Muslim occupation (Elipando
Elipando
Elipando was a Spanish archbishop of Toledo and theologian. He was one of the founders of the Adeoptivi sect....
bishop of Toledo). Regularly celebrates a Jubilee or Holy Year Lebaniego.
Monastery of San Salvador de Tabara
It was a twofold monastery of monks and nuns, Visigothic tradition, founded by Abbot FroilaFroila (Bishop of Lugo)
-References:* Consello da Cultura Galega , Documentos da Catedral de Lugo,...
, under the patronage of Alfonso III and located 43 km northeast of Zamora. The excavations brought to light tower two columns and an arch that led to the lower room of the tower. In this tower was the scriptorium where the monk finished Emeterio illuminate the Beatus miniatures Tabara, initiated by his master magic. Emeterio himself writes the following account:
"Oh Tábara tower, high tower of stone! It's there in the top and into the first room of the library, where sat Emeterio and hunched over his homework, over 3 months, and all the members crippled by the work of the pen. 52 was finished this book 6 of the Kalends of August, the year 1008 was Hispanic, 53 to the facet hour."
This comment along with a drawing which shows the place of work in the tower have been highly valued for giving a very good idea of how such work was in the monasteries.
Monastery of El Palancar
Founded by San Pedro de AlcantaraSan Pedro de Alcántara
San Pedro de Alcántara lies on the main Costa del Sol coastal road the N340/A7 as well as the new toll motorway the AP7, 10 km west of Marbella in Andalucia, Southern Spain....
Acim Pedroso (Cáceres (province)
Cáceres (province)
The province of Cáceres is a province of western Spain, in the northern part of the autonomous community of Extremadura. It is bordered by the provinces of Salamanca, Ávila, Toledo, and Badajoz, and by Portugal....
) in 1557, was considered the world's smallest. Subsequently extended, retaining the original area under the name of the convent. In a tiny space, were built several pieces: a chapel for the offices where the officiant and could only be an acolyte, and attached the founder cell, 55 which describes Santa Teresa de Jesús this way:
It seems they were forty years, he told me he had slept one hour and a half between night and day, and it was the greatest work of penance that had in the early to beat the dream and it was always or kneeling or standing . I was sitting and sleeping head leaning against a maderillo he had driven into the wall. Lying, even if I wanted, I could not because his cell as we know, was not longer than four feet and a half.
Monastery of El Escorial
Designed not only to the monastery but as a royal residence and as a pantheon of kings of the houses of Austria and Bourbon. It is a monastery known and admired worldwide. Herrera architecture was revolutionary in Spanish art. Retains great treasures and its library and art gallery spaces are considered very rich and valuable collections.Monastery of the Valley of the Fallen
Located in the Sierra de GuadarramaSierra de Guadarrama
The Sierra de Guadarrama is a mountain range forming the main eastern section of the Sistema Central, the system of mountain ranges at the centre of the Iberian Peninsula. It is located between the Sierra de Gredos in the province of Ávila, and Sierra de Ayllón in the province of Guadalajara...
in Madrid, led in the years of building a great social impact, not only by the vast proportion of the work but by its construction 57 and the fate that was to give the burial. 58
Spanish monasteries in the 21st century
Many monasteries have been eroded over the centuries and finds no trace of its construction. However, some may be a description by researchers who have access to related documents. In some cases, only speaks of history, but in other cases, contracts or purchases remain fairly accurately relate the buildings. A large part of the monasteries the church is only as a witness of the complex that might be. At other times they appear as ruins are gradually rehabilitating generally to devote to a fruitful use. Also sometimes the building without having come to ruin, has been converted into a hotel, a school or a restaurant. In none of these cases has been retained as the property the garden or nearby buildings.Also many of these medieval monasteries have regained their original function and survive as a community of monks or nuns. In the absence of patronage and custom or donations, these religious adapt to modern life with modern media and subsist on the work undertaken by its members: confectionery, wine and spirits, cheese, small gardening, hives, poultry farms, workshops, garment, lingerie shops, wedding equipment, binding of all kinds, cosmetics, laundry, ironing, mending art, embroidery, writing scores, dissertations, obituaries, from an advanced computer, 59 pottery of all kinds, decorated white porcelain, custom food, farming, vestments, for consecrating ways, caring for sick and elderly, schools and daycare.
In addition, about 250 monasteries have a guest house for lay people who must follow some basic rules, with minimal cost.
External links
- Monasterios y Conventos reales en España(web del Patromonio Nacional español)
- Monasterios católicos en España en la actualidad
- Monasteries and Convents in Spain (Spanish National official World Heritage Site website)
- Catholic Monasteries in Spain at the moment (Catholic site)