Monasterio de Santa Catalina, Religious ruins in Ares, Spain.
Monasterio de Santa Catalina is an abandoned monastery in Ares with two interior courtyards, one of which dates to the Renaissance period. The Renaissance courtyard features a central fountain and displays Gothic arches that line its interior walls.
The site was founded in 1393 by Fernán Pérez de Andrade and served as a religious center for several centuries. The monks departed in 1835, transforming the place into the historical remains you see today.
The walls display paintings from the 1600s that reflect daily religious life, and you can sense where an impressive altar once held the center of attention. Religious statues that were housed here have been relocated to churches in the wider area, leaving their original spaces visible.
The site is best explored during daytime visits when sunlight illuminates the courtyards and structures. Wear sturdy footwear as some areas have uneven surfaces and rugged remains.
The fountain in the Renaissance courtyard features a stone boar, the heraldic symbol of the Andrade family who funded the monastery. This animal symbol was a way for the wealthy family to permanently mark their connection to the site.
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