Monastery of Santa María la Real of Oseira, Trappist monastery in San Cristovo de Cea, Spain
Monastery of Santa María la Real of Oseira is a monastery that blends Romanesque and Baroque styles across three cloisters with carefully worked stone elements. The interior architecture displays elaborate details such as staircases with ornate steps and vaulted rooms with skillfully carved columns.
The monastery was founded in 1137 and shaped the landscape for centuries. A fire in the 16th century led to major rebuilding that gave the complex its current appearance.
The monastery holds active religious ceremonies that visitors can witness, and its spaces display contemporary art exhibitions. These activities shape the character of the place and make it a meeting point between faith and culture.
The complex can be visited with a guide and has a guesthouse for staying overnight. A small shop on site sells local products made by monks, giving visitors time to browse between tours.
The chapter halls contain unusual twisted columns and arch shapes resembling palm fronds. These rare architectural features demonstrate the skill of medieval craftsmen in shaping stone.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
