Santa Fe Abbey, Cistercian monastery in Zaragoza, Spain.
Santa Fe Abbey is a Cistercian monastery in Zaragoza with a large domed church built in the late 18th century that displays baroque architectural features. The complex consists of interconnected buildings arranged around courtyards, following the traditional layout for monastic communities.
Founded in 1223 as Fuente Clara Abbey in Alcolea de Cinca, the monastery moved to Zaragoza in 1341 when security concerns made the original location untenable. The community rebuilt and expanded the complex over subsequent centuries to establish its current form.
The name Santa Fe means Holy Faith, reflecting the spiritual purpose that shaped the entire complex. Walking through the space, you can sense how the monastery was built to support both religious devotion and the practical rhythms of communal life.
The monastery is located in an accessible part of Zaragoza where you can walk around the various sections at your own pace. The layout allows you to explore the church and surrounding monastic buildings in sequence, making it easy to follow the traditional design.
The monastery appears on the Red List of Endangered Heritage, facing critical preservation challenges that threaten its survival. Despite its precarious condition, it retains significant evidence of Cistercian architecture spanning multiple periods.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
