Lebanza Abbey

Lebanza Abbey is a religious building in the mountainous region of Palencia with a cross-shaped layout and a central dome crowning the structure. Inside, Baroque altarpieces decorate the choir area, and the interior displays architectural elements spanning multiple periods.

The building began in 932 as a monastic foundation by counts Alfonso and Justa, evolving from an original Mozarabic sanctuary into a Romanesque church by the 12th century. This architectural transformation reflects the religious and artistic changes across the region during that period.

During the 1960s, the abbey served as a summer seminary where intellectuals gathered to deliver courses and lectures to students.

The building sits around three kilometers from Lebanza village within La Pernia municipality in the mountains. The grounds operate mainly during summer months for retreat programs and group gatherings.

Two capitals from the original Romanesque church now reside in the Fogg Art Museum in Boston, showing how regional artistic treasures were transported to museums across the Atlantic. This relocation reveals the site's historical importance extending beyond its local setting.