Galicia It is a magical destination where it is possible to get lost among large forests and walk along beautiful beaches. The Galician territory has countless historical buildings and monuments that not everyone knows, but which are truly wonderful. From the Cathedrals beach to Finisterre, Galicia is a special place.
What many people do not know is that among its lush forests lies a unique treasure, with hundreds of years of history and that leaves everyone who discovers it speechless. It is about an old monastery that lives hidden among the branches of ancient trees and that waits patiently for travelers who decide to visit it.
The Monastery of San Juan Caaveiro
We travel to Fragas del Eume or Fragas do Eume in Galician, a natural park located in A Coruña. This immense and magical place is the home of a very special guest who has inhabited its lands for centuries. Hidden inside this forest is the Monastery of San Juan Caaveiro.
For years, monks and priests They looked for enclaves far from society to create temples and monasteries in which to dedicate themselves to worship and retreat in solitude. And what better than a remote forest with thousands of leafy trees to build a safe space in which to engage in contemplation.
The origin of this monastery dates back to the 10th century, exactly to the year 934when San Rosendo decided to found the Caaveiro Monastery in this curious location. Years later, in 1135, Alfonso VII was in charge of improving the quality of life of the temple, granting the place the power and control of the lands on which it is built.
With the passage of time, donations from different monarchs, nobles and aristocrats such as Fernando II and Alfonso IX, allowed the monastery to achieve the level of collegiate church. Later, in the 13th century, its history continued with the adoption of the rule of the Regular Priests of Saint Augustine which lasted until the death of its last prior in 1806.
The years and deterioration caused decline and decay of this temple that lost its name as a collegiate church and its category with the confiscation. But this did not mean losing its essence. This monastery is still very much alive today, waiting with its doors open for all those who want to walk through its historic halls.
A gem open to the public
The main nave of the building dates back to the 12th century, but at the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century, reconstruction began to improve its infrastructure, although it was paralyzed and the monastery once again became ruins until 2006 when it was opened to the public. so that everyone could visit it. Furthermore, in 1975, the monastery of San Juan Caaveiro was declared Asset of Cultural Interest.
The monastery also highlights its baroque church on steep rocks, the semicircular apse with attached columns and the exterior elements that decorate the gardens and facades of the building. This enclave had up to two churchesone dedicated to prayer and another created to celebrate funeral masses and burials.
This impressive monastery should be a mandatory visit so that everyone can discover the wonders of an enclave hidden among trees that perfectly represents the Galician history. Walking through its corridors and rooms is like taking a trip back in time surrounded by a spectacular natural landscape and it is a great idea to spend a relaxing day in contact with nature.