Monastery of San Salvador de Celanova, Benedictine monastery and chapel in Celanova, Spain
The Monastery of San Salvador is a Benedictine monastic complex in the Galician town of Celanova featuring two cloisters built in different styles. The Renaissance and Baroque cloisters connect various rooms including monk's cells, kitchens, and library spaces through covered corridors.
Founded in 936 by Saint Rudesind, the monastery expanded through donations from noble families and rulers of León and Castile. During the 19th century, the building was secularized and repurposed as a town hall and educational institution.
The monastery church displays religious artworks and tombs that reflect how medieval monks lived and practiced their faith. Visitors today can see the spaces where daily prayers and spiritual work took place.
The complex remains partly in use as a town hall and school, so visitors can explore the cloisters and church while certain areas may have restricted access. Arriving in the morning or early afternoon offers the best chance to walk through without interruptions from staff and students.
Within the complex sits the San Miguel Chapel, built in 942 and representing one of Spain's rare examples of Mozarabic architecture. This small chapel shows a building style that blends Christian and Arabic influences from medieval times.
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