Monasterio de Nuestra Señora del Espino, Gothic monastery in Vivar del Cid, Spain.
The Monastery of Our Lady of the Hawthorn is a stone building featuring Gothic architectural elements and religious ornamentation throughout. Its structure includes cloisters, chapels, and spaces designed for monastic life and prayer.
The monastery was founded in the 15th century with papal approval as a religious community for women. It grew to become an important spiritual center in the region over the following centuries.
The monastery served as a repository for manuscripts and religious treasures that attracted scholars and pilgrims over centuries. The nuns continue to shape daily life here through their spiritual practices and the production of handmade goods.
The monastery holds daily prayer services that visitors can observe to experience the spiritual rhythm of the community. Morning hours are ideal for visiting when regular monastic activities take place.
The nuns have long produced handmade confections including chocolate treats, nougat, and marzipan using traditional recipes. These artisanal goods reveal how monastic communities sustain themselves through practical crafts.
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