About this place
The Monastery of Santa María de Armenteira sits on the slope of the Armenteira river valley in the municipality of Meis, part of the Rías Baixas region in Galicia. It is one of the best-preserved Cistercian monasteries in northwestern Spain and the destination of one of the area's most popular walking routes.
What is the history behind the monastery?
The monastery was founded in 1168 by the knight Ero de Armenteira, and King Ferdinand II of León granted the community extensive landholdings. For nearly 700 years Cistercian monks lived here, devoted to prayer and farm work, until 1837, when Spain's confiscation of church property forced them to leave. Following decades of reconstruction, in 1989 a community of Cistercian nuns from the Monastery of Alloz in Navarre moved in, reviving monastic life on the site. Cistercian sisters still live there today.
What will you see on site?
The oldest and most valuable part of the complex is the Romanesque church, built by the monastery's first Cistercian abbot in 1167. It follows a Latin-cross floor plan with three naves and three semicircular apses. The central nave is covered by a pointed barrel vault, while the side naves have groin vaults. On the façade, look out for the 12th-century rose window. The rest of the complex — a square cloister, kitchen and tower — was built later, in Renaissance and Baroque style during the 16th and 17th centuries. The nuns run a small shop selling their own natural soaps and cosmetics, and they also maintain an organic farm and a guesthouse for pilgrims.
How do you get there and when should you visit?
Most visitors reach the monastery on foot via the Ruta da Pedra e da Auga (Route of Stone and Water), which follows the Armenteira river past numerous old water mills — some restored, others left as ruins — before ending at the monastery gates. The trail is well marked and open year-round, though the surrounding landscape looks greenest in spring and autumn. The monastery is also reachable by car via local roads connecting Meis with nearby towns in Rías Baixas. Every Easter Monday the monastery holds a celebration in honor of Our Lady of the Heads, believed to have healing powers, drawing thousands of pilgrims who come seeking relief from headaches and related ailments.
Frequently asked questions
Is the monastery still inhabited by nuns? Yes, since 1989 a community of Cistercian nuns has lived there, combining a contemplative life with organic farming and a small shop selling their own products.
What is the best way to reach the monastery? The most popular option is hiking the Ruta da Pedra e da Auga along the Armenteira river, passing several historic water mills along the way.
What is the oldest part of the monastery complex? The Romanesque church from 1167, notable for its 12th-century rose window on the façade and its three apses.
Can you stay overnight at the monastery? Yes, the sisters run a guesthouse with around a dozen rooms for pilgrims and visitors exploring the area.
Nearby places
Earn badges for the places you visit
Download NextOnTrip, discover new places and check off your trails.