Monastery of Santa María la Real, Gradefes

The Monasterio de Santa Maria de Gradefes is a Cistercian monastery in Gradefes distinguished by its Romanesque architecture with three naves, five apses, and arches featuring decorative carved borders. The chapter house contains seven large openings that reveal the typical layout of medieval monastic spaces.

The monastery was founded in 1177 by Teresa Petri, who arrived with a group of nuns from Tulebras in Navarra to establish the community. She served as the first abbess and guided the monastery through its earliest years until her death in 1187.

The monastery carries the mark of its female founders in its name dedicated to Mary and in the spaces designed for nuns who lived and worked here for centuries. This heritage of women in religious life remains visible in the simple, practical layout of the buildings.

The church welcomes visitors on most days, though exploring the cloister and chapter rooms requires joining a guided tour to make the most of the experience. Wear comfortable shoes since you will walk on uneven medieval floors and outdoor paths throughout the visit.

When the founder's burial chamber was opened in 1959, it revealed remarkably preserved remains along with medieval leather shoes still intact. These discoveries provide rare direct evidence of how nuns dressed and lived in medieval times.