Monastery of Carboeiro, Medieval monastery and church in Silleda, Spain
The Monastery of Carboeiro is a stone structure comprising a church with a central nave and three radiating side chapels positioned on a hilltop overlooking the Deza River. Beneath the church lies a circular passage with small apses, creating an unusual underground layout that adds depth to the building's form.
The monastery was established in 936 and served as a major religious center during the medieval period. The building underwent a change in status during the 1500s when it was reorganized as a priory.
The carved capitals throughout the church show religious figures and natural themes that reflect what mattered to those who built it. These details give the space a personal touch that connects visitors to the craftspeople who worked here.
Start your visit by viewing the exterior from the hilltop to appreciate the building's overall form and how it relates to the landscape. Then approach closer to examine the stone details and the setting near the river.
Hidden beneath the church floor is an underground chamber with a circular passage and small apses, a rare arrangement on the Iberian peninsula. This concealed space reveals how medieval builders sometimes created hidden rooms for purposes that remain part of local history.
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