Abbey of Santa María la Real de Las Huelgas, Cistercian nunnery in Burgos, Spain.

The Abbey of Santa María la Real de Las Huelgas is a Cistercian convent built of pale stone with tall pointed-arch windows. Inside, two cloisters frame the spaces around a church stretching over 60 meters long, featuring ribbed vaults and rooms for the nuns' daily life.

The abbey was founded in 1181 by King Alfonso VIII and quickly became a burial place for Spanish royal families. It received royal privileges that brought wealth and political influence to the community.

The name refers to its role as a royal community of women with considerable power over surrounding lands. The nuns followed strict religious rules while managing extensive properties, which shaped how the place developed and functioned.

The site is reached by walking through Burgos streets, and comfortable shoes are helpful since exploring takes time on foot. Most rooms are at ground level and arranged around the cloisters, making navigation straightforward.

An onsite textile museum displays medieval fabrics and ornaments taken from royal tombs, including rare pieces from different periods. These items reveal the craftsmanship and wealth the abbey enjoyed during its medieval years.

• Location: Burgos
• Inception: 1181
• Founders: Alfonso VIII of Castile
• Architectural style: Cistercian architecture
• Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible
• Part of: Way of Saint James in the province of Burgos
• Address: Pl. Compás, s/n, 09001 Burgos, Spain
• Phone: [phone]
• Website: http://monasteriodelashuelgas.org
• GPS coordinates: 42.33610,-3.72020
• Latest update: January 19, 2026 08:57