Holy Cross Abbey, Benedictine abbey in Cañon City, United States
Holy Cross Abbey is a four-story brick structure with Gothic Revival architecture laid out in a modified cruciform design, situated in a valley setting near Cañon City. The property includes the original monastic buildings plus various support structures spread across 180 acres of grounds.
Two Benedictine monks founded the monastery in 1886 and eventually settled in Cañon City in 1924 after moving through several Colorado locations. This new location provided the foundation for the community's sustained presence through much of the 20th century.
The abbey's monastic spaces reflected the rhythms of contemplative life, with areas designed for prayer, study, and communal work that shaped daily routines. The buildings stand as a reminder of how religious communities structured their time and shared their values through the physical layout of the place.
The property today functions as an events and hospitality venue with spaces available for various occasions in the restored buildings. The extensive grounds and mountain setting mean visitors should allow time to explore the property, especially if interested in walking the surrounding landscape.
The grounds today host a winery operation that produces wines from vineyards planted on the former monastery land, with a tasting room overlooking the Rocky Mountains. This surprising shift from monastic agriculture to wine production shows how the property has found new purpose while maintaining its connection to the land.
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