Yuste, Gothic monastery in Cuacos de Yuste, Spain.
Yuste is a Gothic-style monastery in Cuacos de Yuste, Spain, built in two separate parts. The religious section includes two cloisters and a church, while a residential wing sits beside it with direct access to the church interior.
A ruler who governed a vast empire withdrew here in 1556 after stepping down from his offices. He died two years later in these rooms, surrounded by monks and a few servants.
The name comes from an old Spanish word for broom, a plant that grows wild in these mountains. Visitors walk through the quiet rooms each year and imagine how a European ruler spent his final years here.
The building opens Tuesday through Sunday, with longer visiting hours from April to September and shorter hours from October to March. Paths inside lead over stairs and uneven floors, so sturdy footwear is advisable.
A specially made chair in the private rooms supported the legs of the resident, who suffered from gout. Beside it, a bronze clock still ticks today, built by a 16th-century craftsman.
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