Sobrado Abbey, Sobrado, Spain - SpottingHistory.com

Sobrado Abbey was founded in 952 by Count Hermenegildo Alóitez and his wife Paterna. In 958, the founders transferred the county of Présaras to the monastery and, in that same year, Hermenegildo retired there where he lived as a monk the rest of his life and where he was buried. The abbey was inherited by his descendants and nearly two centuries later, in January 1142, the brothers Fernando and Bermudo Pérez, two of the most distinguished members of the House of Traba, handed it over to the Cistercian monks from Clairvaux.

The abbey flourished during the 12th and 13th centuries and was able to undertake the foundations of its own daughter house, Valdedios Abbey in Asturias. Sobrado was also given the supervision of Monfero Abbey after it joined the Cistercian Order.

After a period of decline, in 1498 Sobrado was the first abbey in Galicia to join the Castilian Cistercian Congregation.

The monumental new Baroque abbey church was dedicated in 1708. Most of the conventual buildings were also rebuilt at this time. The dissolution of the monasteries enforced by the government of Mendizábal in 1835 put an end to the abbey, and the abandoned buildings fell into decay.

In 1954 the Cistercian monks of Viaceli Abbey in Cóbreces, west of Santander, began reconstruction, having already refounded and restored Huerta Abbey in 1929, and were able to resettle the monastery with a new community in 1966.

The present abbey church, now roofed with a number of domes and cupolas, was built at the end of the 17th century, although the Magdalene Chapel (Capela da Madalena or Capilla de la Magdalena) dates from the 14th century. The sacristy was built by Juan de Herrera. The monastery has three cloisters. The kitchen and the chapter house remain of the medieval monastic buildings.

References:

Wikipedia

User Reviews

Andrew Lester (8 months ago)
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Social Truant (13 months ago)
At the time I was there, February 2020, the main attraction of the place, the church, was closed due to ongoing repair work. The only part I was able to view was the monastery which also doubles as a hostel for people doing the Camino De Santiago. Due to it being partly closed, the entry fee was just 1€. The monk on the front desk was very accommodating with me, even after I told him that I am a fully paid up atheist. I know that some people have moaned about the staff here, but I had no problems. The chap even offered me the use of the showers when he discovered I was a Vanlifer. The parts that I viewed were fairly basic, and in truth, if you have seen one monastery then you've. . . . The parts I saw can be view in about 15 minutes although I was there longer trying to find a good place for a photo, which I failed to do to my satisfaction. You get a small sheet at the door that shows a map and some details. Mine was in Spanish, but maybe they do them in English, I didn't ask. If old religious buildings are your bag, then you will enjoy this place. Not to mention that when the finish the repairs are should look fairly resplendent. But if you are not really fussed, then maybe save your 1€

Xiaofei Hao (14 months ago)
My friend and I got to be the only two persons staying in this wonderful place. The monks are warm and welcoming. Too bad we didn’t meet Maximilian (the cat living there )

Adam Croft (2 years ago)
Definitely a very cool place to stop! Doing expect “modern amenities” as you are in a very old monastery. But it’s worth stopping because of the history!

Willem H du Toit (3 years ago)
Very good Albergue. Amazing experience sleeping in a Kloster.

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