Monasterio Cisterciense de la Santísima Trinidad

Monasterio Cisterciense de la Santísima Trinidad in Breña Alta, often called Monasterio del Cister by locals, is a Trappist convent set on the eastern slopes of La Palma, in the Buenavista area. It's a place of silence and contemplation that has drawn both worshippers seeking spiritual retreat and travelers curious about the island's religious architecture for decades.

How do you get there?

The monastery sits on Camino La Corsillada 48, in the municipality of Breña Alta, just a short drive from the island capital, Santa Cruz de La Palma. Arriving by car is the easiest option — access roads are clearly marked, and there's a parking area adapted for wheelchair users right at the site. The monastery grounds themselves also include accessibility features for visitors with reduced mobility. The trip from central Santa Cruz de La Palma typically takes no more than fifteen minutes.

What's the history behind it?

The community traces its roots to May 27, 1946, when twelve nuns from the monastery in Teror, on Gran Canaria, founded a new religious house on land previously known as La Gloria. The property was donated by the Marquesa Dolores Van de Walle y Fierro, allowing the Cistercian (Trappist) sisters to begin a contemplative life in this secluded corner of La Palma. The community has operated continuously ever since, and the local island press regularly marks its anniversaries as a meaningful part of Breña Alta's identity — coverage of its 80th anniversary highlighted how deeply the monastery is woven into the town's history.

What will you see on a visit?

The complex combines the architectural simplicity typical of Cistercian houses with the lush, quiet rural setting characteristic of Buenavista and the Canary Islands more broadly. Visitors can expect the intimate atmosphere typical of an enclosed monastery: access to public areas, including a chapel where you can attend services, and a small shop where the nuns sell goods made on site — sweets and handcrafted items, a traditional source of income for contemplative communities. This is a destination for those seeking quiet away from crowds rather than a conventional sightseeing attraction with elaborate visitor infrastructure.

When is the best time to visit?

The monastery can be visited year-round, but its contemplative nature is worth keeping in mind — this is a living religious community, not a site built for mass tourism. Morning or early afternoon visits, outside communal prayer times, tend to work best, and it's worth calling ahead to confirm the shop and chapel's current opening hours for guests. La Palma's mild climate means the surrounding area is pleasant to explore in almost any month.

Frequently asked questions

Can you visit the inside of the monastery? Generally only the public areas are open, such as the chapel and the shop near the entrance — the enclosed section remains off-limits to outside visitors, in keeping with the community's contemplative rule.

Is the monastery accessible for visitors with disabilities? Yes, the site has wheelchair ramps and adapted parking, making it easier for visitors with limited mobility to access.

Which religious order runs the monastery? Cistercian (Trappist) nuns live here; the community was founded in 1946 by sisters who came from the monastery in Teror, on Gran Canaria.

Can you buy souvenirs at the monastery? Yes, the nuns run a small shop selling goods made on site, a traditional way that such communities in the Canary Islands support themselves.