Monastery of San Pedro de Eslonza facts for kids
The Monastery of San Pedro de Eslonza was a very old Benedictine monastery. It is located in Gradefes, in the province of León, central Spain. Today, most of it is in ruins.
This monastery was once very important. It was the second most important monastery in its area.
Contents
History of San Pedro de Eslonza
How the Monastery Started
The Monastery of San Pedro de Eslonza was founded in the year 912. It was started by King García I of León. Monasteries were important places for monks to live and pray.
Destroyed and Rebuilt
Sadly, the monastery was destroyed in 988. This happened when a ruler named Al-Mansur Ibn Abi Aamir attacked the area.
But the monastery was not forgotten! It was rebuilt in 1099. A powerful woman named Urraca of Zamora helped with this. She was the daughter of King Ferdinand I of León and Castile.
Urraca became queen of Galicia, León, and Castile in 1109. She gave many gifts and money to the monastery. This helped it to grow and become strong again.
Later Changes and Decline
By the 1500s, the monastery was starting to fall apart. So, it was repaired and updated. New parts were added, like three beautiful Renaissance-style entrances. The main front of the building was also changed to a Baroque style. This part once had statues of saints, but they are now gone.
The monastery faced big problems in 1836. The government took control of many church properties. This event was called the Ecclesiastical Confiscation of Mendizábal. The monastery was sold, and its valuable art and items were split up.
Even though it was declared a national monument in 1931, its decline continued. Luckily, some parts were saved. Between 1944 and 1970, a bishop named Luis Almarcha Hernández moved the beautiful old entrances. He moved them to the church of San Juan y San Pedro de Renueva in León. This saved them from being completely destroyed.
