Monasteries of San Millán de la Cogolla facts for kids
| UNESCO World Heritage Site | |
|---|---|
.jpg)
San Millán de Suso
|
|
| Location | San Millán de la Cogolla, La Rioja, Spain |
| Includes |
|
| Criteria | Cultural: (ii), (iv), (vi) |
| Inscription | 1997 (21st Session) |
| Area | 19.01 ha (47.0 acres) |
| Buffer zone | 266.24 ha (657.9 acres) |
| Official name: Monasterios de Yuso y Suso | |
| Type: | Real property |
| Criteria: | Monument |
The San Millán de Suso and San Millán de Yuso monasteries are two important buildings in the village of San Millán de la Cogolla, in La Rioja, Spain. Suso was built in the 6th century, and Yuso in the 11th century. These amazing places were named a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in December 1997. This means they are very special and important to everyone in the world.
One of the biggest reasons these monasteries are so famous is because of some very old writings found there. These writings are called the "Glosas Emilianenses." They are believed to be the first written texts in the Spanish and Basque (Euskera) languages. Imagine finding the very first words ever written in a language! This makes the monasteries a true treasure of human history. In 2007, they were even chosen as one of the 100 finalists for the "12 Treasures of Spain."
Contents
San Millán de Suso: The Older Monastery
The Suso Monastery is the older of the two. Its name, "Suso," means "above" in old Castilian Spanish. This monastery was built into a cave. It was a place where early Christian monks lived and prayed.
A Look Inside Suso
Suso Monastery shows different styles of building. You can see parts from the 6th century, like the original cave. Later, in the 10th and 11th centuries, more sections were added. These new parts show Mozarabic and Romanesque styles. Mozarabic art was created by Christians living under Muslim rule. It mixes Christian and Islamic art ideas.
The Story of San Millán
The monastery is named after Saint Millán (also known as Saint Emilian). He was a hermit who lived in these caves in the 6th century. Many people came to follow him. After he died, a community of monks grew around his burial place. This is how the monastery began.
San Millán de Yuso: The Newer Monastery
The Yuso Monastery is much larger and newer. Its name, "Yuso," means "below." It was built in the 11th century, close to the older Suso Monastery. Yuso became the main monastery over time.
What You Find at Yuso
Yuso Monastery is a grand building. It has a beautiful church, a large library, and a fancy sacristy. The library holds many old books and documents. Some of these are very rare. The monastery also has a museum with valuable art and religious items.
The Cradle of the Spanish Language
Yuso Monastery is often called the "Cradle of the Spanish Language." This is because the "Glosas Emilianenses" were found here. These short notes were written in the margins of a Latin book. They helped explain the Latin words in early Spanish and Basque. This discovery shows how these languages were starting to form. It's like seeing the very first steps of a language!
Why These Monasteries Are World Heritage Sites
The San Millán monasteries are important for several reasons:
- They show how different cultures and ideas mixed over time.
- They are great examples of early Christian and medieval architecture.
- They played a huge role in the history of the Spanish language. Finding the "Glosas Emilianenses" here was a major event for language studies.
- They represent a long history of monastic life in Spain.
These monasteries are not just old buildings. They are living links to the past. They help us understand how languages grew and how people lived centuries ago.
Images for kids
-
Processional cloister. Yuso Monastery.
-
Mozarabic arches in the Suso Monastery.
See also
In Spanish: Monasterio de San Millán de la Cogolla para niños
