|
Paradoxplace Italy France & Britain Photo Galleries Paradoxplace Spain Photo & History Gallery Links Navarre, Aragon and Catalonia Photo and History Galleries Spanish & Portuguese Abbey, Monastery, Mosque and Cathedral Links
Navarra Santa Maria de la Oliva
Active Cistercian Monastery originally established 1150 as a daughter of l'Escaladieu / Morimond present buildings date from 1200s - 1400s
Cistercian Abbeys of Spain and Portugal
|
|
|
On the right is a mason's mark from one of the stones in the facade. Masons' marks were made on stones so that the correct piecework payment could be made to each mason. They varied in size and complexity - this one is about about 20cm high.
The Abbey Facade is adorned with nesting storks and watchful faces in the capitals and the stone ledge over the portal (below). Note also the alabaster glazing in the windows, a common feature of northern Spanish abbeys. |
|
|
Lunchtime singing for the dozen or so monks and a congregation couple. Lusty and tuneless voices and wrongnoted organ, but hey it's not a named "recording abbey" and there was a really friendly positive feeling about it all - and it was altogether a more rewarding experience than that provided by the famous monks of Santo Domingo de Silos ! |
|
| Huntin | Preachin |
|
Chapter House |
|
|
A pigeon has taken up residence in the old cookhouse, secure in the knowledge that it is many pigeon generations since his forefathers and mothers contributed to the monastery's food chain. Maybe he's dreaming of going to school ... |
|
|
|
 |
|
For other Paradoxplace links visit the home page
All original material on this site © Adrian Fletcher 2000-10 - The contents may not be hotlinked, or reproduced without permission
|
|
