VISITS TO THE MONASTERY

The monastery was built in two main stages: 12th and 13th centuries and 16th and 17th centuries. The first stage consists of a classic Cistercian monastery built around a gothic cloister. In the second stage, amongst other buildings, an Herrera cloister (plateresque over gothic) was added, and the high choir, exhibited the new impulse that overtook monasteries within the Congregation from Castille.

             1. Gothic Cloister

            2. Church

            3. Corridor of the chapter

            4. Refectory of monks

            5. Gothic Kitchen

            6. Lay Brothers' Refectory

            7. Warehouse

            8. Herrerian Cloister

VISITING THE MONASTERY (every day)

Mornings : 10,00 a.m. to 1,00 p.m. (On Sundays and Public Holidays the monastery is closed between 11,30 a.m. to 12,30 p.m.)

GOTHIC CLOISTER	With all symbolic force, in each of its sides and the dependencies amongst them are reflected the three human dimensions of body, soul and spirit, along with its social dimension. Its squareness recalls the heavenly Jerusalem, wanting to see in monastic life an incarnation of the eschatological utopia in human history. The square stone - sign of Christ - with which the cloister is constructed and shaped in diverse forms, shows the unity and diversity of its members and the desire of the monk to live without separating the corporal and the spiritual, the earthy and the celestial, the interior and the exterior, the personal and the social. In the 16th century, another cloister was added, Plateresque, which has a very different sensitivity to the original.
CHURCH	On the south side is the Church. Entrance is by way of an 18th century iron door, and through which can be found the 16th century choir and a baroque organ. Also Inside is paintings from the 16th century and a splendid 18th century baroque altarpiece.
"PANDA" (OR CORRIDOR) OF THE CHAPTER	Under monks’ dormitory, in the eastern cloister - "panda" or corridor, is found the Chapter Room, but only its entrance and the large windows are preserved, for in its place an ample sacristy was built in the 17th century. Next to it is the De Profundis chapel, occupying part of what was the scriptorium and where at the moment an audio-visual multimedia documentary is being shown to help visitors better understand Cistercian history, art and spirituality.
REFECTORY OF MONKS	The construction of the Refectory began in 1215 and, with an interesting six side vault; which is unique. Locked into one of its walls is a pulpit with stairs for the reader.
GOTHIC KITCHEN	The square kitchen with its great central chimney is surrounded by eight sections of a vault of crosses.
LAY BROTHERS' REFECTORY	This is the oldest part of the monastery, with its heavy walls, splayed windows and embedded braces finished in modillions. The capitols of the central columns maintain the tradition of ornamental sobriety. Attached to this refectory was the lay brothers’ dormitory, but which today it is the library of the monastery.
"CILLA" OR WAREHOUSE	This is also located in the Lay Brothers’ area of the monastery. It is important to note its five arc diaphragms and the wainscot of panelled wood. This is where the agricultural products of the monastery were stored.
HERRERIAN CLOISTER	Erected in the 17th century, this is where the monks now currently live.