Monastery of San Miguel de Escalada

Villamondrin de Rueda, Spain

San Miguel de Escalada is located 10 km from the Way of St. James pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela. The building is an example of Mozarabic art and architecture or Repoblación art and architecture.

An inscription that has disappeared but was published by Father Risco in 1786 gave information about the church's consecration in 951 by Bishop Genadio of Astorga, around the time of the founding of the Kingdom of León. It was constructed on a site dedicated to Saint Michael, probably a Visigothic church.

The monastery church's nave has three aisles separated by columns and large horseshoe arches, with their apses and a crossing, which is not covered by a cimborio or central tower. The choir is separated from the principal nave by three horseshoe arches sometimes called an iconostasis).

Despite the floor plan, the building appears from the exterior as a rectangular block. All arches take down in marble shafts and Corinthian steeples proceeding from other Visigothic or Roman constructions (as it may be appreciated in a cyma carved as from a gravestone, perhaps from the nearby Roman city of Lancia).

The building has wood panels, which are decorated with paintings from the 15th century.

Architectural highlights include a meridional porch fixed by twelve horseshoe arche), which were built in two different phases: the seven occidental arches, with columns and steeples are in the moorish style, while the Mozarabic work from the 10th century is preserved in the alfiz decorations around the arches.

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Details

Founded: 951 AD
Category: Religious sites in Spain

More Information

en.wikipedia.org

Rating

4.3/5 (based on Google user reviews)

User Reviews

Manuel Maynar Aguilar (11 months ago)
During our visit we were not able to see the interior since despite the opening hours specified here (from 10:30 to 14:00) it was closed and without guard. Style: Mozarabic. Period: 10th century. Province: León. Condition: Very good. Built by monks who came from Córdoba, with the support of Alfonso III, it is one of the first churches of the Mozarabic period. It consists of three naves separated by horseshoe arches on columns and capitals, with a transept of the same width as the naves, separated from them by an iconostasis also with horseshoe arches on columns, and three apses, with a plant in the shape of an inscribed horseshoe. in a square, the central one larger than the lateral ones. It is an example of fusion between Asturian art due to its plan with three naves and three apses with a flat front and the Andalusian influence in its light structure, its horseshoe arches, even the interior of the apses has this shape, its capitals, very different to the Asturians and the door located on the south side. Also known for the famous Beato de Escalada, a 10th century manuscript kept in the Morgan Library, New York. Your visit is totally recommended.
Jpls9 Sk8 (3 years ago)
Interesting place
Jennifer Hamlin (3 years ago)
Really interesting and historical. Lovely building, architecture and views. Very peaceful.
Kris Verhoye (5 years ago)
I seldom post reviews but the way we have been treated at this place was unworthy for any place worth visiting, anywhere. Very unrespectfully treated by the woman who was responsible and arrived 30 minutes later than advertised. Instead of a welcome we got a lecture for no good reason at all in the most unwelcoming tone she could muster. The building is nice, better let it speak for itself!
Hein Van Der Zande (6 years ago)
Heel verrassend. Je moet het maar ontdekken en oppakken in de gids
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