Monastery of Santa María de Melón

Melón, Spain

The old Cistercian monastery of Melón contains in its church one of the largest and most imposing sanctuaries in Galician monastic architecture. It was founded by monks from Clairvaux Abbey in France, in 1142. It was once very powerful, as attested by the remaining architecture.

Various rooms in the monastery, the galleries in the cloister and the two later chapels are currently undergoing restoration, as well as the entrance to the monastic site.

The only element remaining from the primitive Romanesque church with three naves is one section of a nave, the transepts with two semicircular chapels, and an interesting ambulatory with freestanding columns. Its walls and roofs were refurbished once again in the late 19th century in the historicist style. It is topped with cross and quarter-sphere vaults, and has a rectangular tower at the point where the transept meets the naves.

References:

spain.info

Address

Plaza José Antonio 7, Melón, Spain

See all sites in Melón

Details

Founded: 1142
Category: Religious sites in Spain

More Information

www.spain.info

Rating

4/5 (based on Google user reviews)

Interesting Sites Nearby

Ribadavia Castle (6,9 km)

Pontevedra Museum (40,2 km)
Ourense Cathedral (30,4 km)
Ourense Provincial Archaeological Museum (30,4 km)
La Peregrina Chapel (40,1 km)
St. Mary's Church (30,4 km)
San Domingos Convent Ruins (40,4 km)
Tui Cathedral (42,3 km)
Basílica de Santa María la Mayor (40,6 km)
Ponte de Lima Roman Bridge (62,1 km)

User Reviews

Kêlëm Lambert (2 years ago)
The Melón Monastery was founded in 1142 by the Cistercian order thanks to Alfonso VII's donation of a large reserve made up of neighboring towns. The monks came from Clairvaux (France). (According to another study, the preserve could have been donated by the Countess Doña Fruela Fernández in 1158). In the following years, their territory was further increased, even reaching Ribadavia. This made his power stronger, managing to exert great pressure on the local population, abusing and riddling them with taxes. This was until almost the fifteenth century, when it gradually lost its power, being relegated by the great feudal lords that were established at this time.

Sabine H. (2 years ago)
We discovered by accident. Very nice, unfortunately not everything is accessible because it is being renovated. Still worth seeing

Pancho jf Magarinos (3 years ago)
Needs funds to make this like oia.

Encarnita Garcia Corral (3 years ago)
It is a pity that they do not restore it, it is in very bad condition and it is a very beautiful area, it has some surroundings to enjoy them but inside it is in ruins and it is a pity

Pedro Rebelo (3 years ago)
Looks interesting from the outside but it's closed to the public. Don't waste your time.

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