Monastery of Santa María de la Mejorada

Monastery of Santa María de la Mejorada stands near the hamlet of Calabazas, within the municipality of Olmedo, in the province of Valladolid, Castile and León. Set away from the main tourist circuit, the site retains the austere character of a six-centuries-old house of prayer.

How did the monastery begin?

The story starts around 1330, when a woman named María Pérez funded a chapel dedicated to the Virgin Mary using an inheritance she had received in excess of her siblings' shares under a Castilian legal arrangement called a "mejora" - hence the name "Mejorada". Hermits first cared for the chapel, followed by Franciscan tertiaries. In 1396 the community decided to adopt the Rule of Saint Jerome, a change formally confirmed the following year, marking the founding of the Hieronymite monastery.

Why did Castilian royalty take an interest?

Infante Fernando de Antequera, later king of Aragon, became the monastery's patron, funding the construction of a palace and a family pantheon on the grounds. The Catholic Monarchs, Isabella of Castile and Ferdinand of Aragon, later used the monastery repeatedly as a residence during their travels through Castile, granting privileges and liturgical furnishings, including portable altarpieces depicting the Pietà and Saint Jerome.

What can visitors see today?

The visit centers on the monastery chapel, protected as a Bien de Interés Cultural (Spanish cultural heritage asset) for its architectural and historical value. Its structure blends late Gothic elements with Renaissance-era additions typical of Hieronymite foundations across Castile. The rest of the complex bears the marks of a turbulent history: after being looted during the Peninsular War, the monastery was suppressed in 1835 as part of Spain's ecclesiastical confiscation laws and fell into ruin.

What happened to the monastery afterward?

In 1892 the property was purchased by the Dominican Order, which ran a novitiate here between 1912 and 1954. That episode briefly restored religious life to the buildings, though the scale of activity never matched the monastery's medieval and Renaissance heyday.

How do you get to La Mejorada?

The monastery sits by Calabazas, a few kilometers from the center of Olmedo, a town on the road connecting Valladolid and Segovia (the A-601/N-601 corridor). Driving is the most practical option, with the trip from Valladolid taking around half an hour. Travelers without a car can start from Olmedo's bus station and continue by taxi or on foot, depending on current access to the grounds.

When is the best time to visit?

Spring and early autumn offer the mildest conditions on the Castilian plateau, and a stop at La Mejorada pairs well with exploring Olmedo's town walls and Mudejar churches. Summers in this part of Castile can bring very high temperatures.

Frequently asked questions

Can you go inside the Mejorada monastery? Access to the interior is sometimes limited, since parts of the complex remain privately owned or under restoration - it's worth checking with Olmedo's local tourist office before visiting.

Where does the name "Mejorada" come from? It comes from the "mejora", the extra share of an inheritance the founder María Pérez received beyond her siblings' portions, which she used to build the original chapel.

Is this the same order as El Escorial? Yes, the monastery belonged to the Hieronymites, the same order that later ran the famous monastery-palace of El Escorial near Madrid.

Why did the monastery fall into decline? Damage during the Peninsular War, combined with Spain's 1835 decree dissolving contemplative religious orders, led to the abandonment and deterioration of most of the buildings.