Old Spanish Monastery

The Old Spanish Monastery is a 12th-century monastic complex built from over 35,000 Spanish stones now located in North Miami Beach. The grounds display Gothic arches, carved ceilings, religious statues, and colored glass windows distributed throughout various courtyards and wings.

The monastery was originally founded in Spain during the 12th century and served monastic communities for approximately seven centuries. It was then dismantled in the 1920s and transported to Florida as a complete structure.

The monastery draws its name from the Spanish town where it originated and houses religious artworks that reflect medieval European craftsmanship. Visitors can observe how monastic life unfolded through the preserved rooms and objects that reveal daily routines and spiritual practices.

The complex sits on a well-maintained grounds that can be explored comfortably on foot and features clear pathways throughout. Weekday visits offer a quieter experience for observing architectural details and artwork without crowds.

Industrialist William Randolph Hearst purchased the Spanish monastery in the 1920s and had it disassembled and shipped to America in roughly 11,000 crates. This made it one of the oldest European structures in the Western Hemisphere to be completely reassembled.