Monastery of San Salvador de Lérez

The Monastery of San Salvador de Lérez is a Benedictine religious community featuring a neoclassical church with a single nave supported by semicircular arches and twin towers anchoring its front wall. The site includes a chapel built in the 18th century that blends architectural elements from different periods.

The monastery was established in the 10th century when Benedictine monks settled in Lérez and built a religious community. The current church structure comes primarily from the 18th century, showing how the site evolved and was rebuilt across the centuries to reflect changing architectural tastes.

The monastery carries deep religious meaning for the region, with San Benito venerated as a local patron saint whose feast day in July draws community members together. The dedication to the Saviour reflects spiritual beliefs that have shaped how people relate to this space across generations.

The site sits off the main highway and is best reached via the N-550 toward Santiago, where signs direct visitors to the grounds. It helps to drive slowly and watch carefully for the posted markers, as the entrance can be easy to miss among the rural surroundings.

A remarkable tradition involves visitors passing under the altar of the chapel, a practice that has persisted for centuries. This unusual custom still attracts people who come to the site and want to experience this old ritual themselves.