Abadía de Santa Ana, Cistercian monastery in Málaga, Spain.
Abadía de Santa Ana is a Cistercian monastery in Málaga with a single-nave church whose vaults are supported by semicircular granite arches and meet in a lowered dome with twenty ribs. The layout follows typical Cistercian architecture with clean lines and functional spaces for monastic life.
The monastery was completed in 1350, demonstrating the Cistercian order's continuity in southern Spain during the Middle Ages. The 16th century brought extensive renovation that modernized and adapted the building's structures.
The community of nuns shapes daily life here, where singing during services remains a central part of religious practice. Visitors observe directly how the residents dedicate themselves to prayer and craftsmanship that sustains the monastery.
The complex is best explored on foot, allowing you to move through the church, cloister, and surrounding buildings at a leisurely pace. It is advisable to wear sturdy shoes, as the stone floors can be slippery depending on the weather.
The three-level cloister was completed in 1596 and was remarkable at the time of its completion for its unusual height compared to other monastic buildings in the region. This structure demonstrates the community's ambition to create a building that stood apart from others.
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