Monastery of San Xulián de Samos facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Monastery of San Xulián de Samos |
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Mosteiro de San Xulián de Samos
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General view of the monastery.
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| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Roman Catholic |
| Ecclesiastical or organizational status | Monastery |
| Location | |
| Location | Samos, Galicia, Spain |
| Architecture | |
| Architectural style | Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque |
| Direction of façade | Southwest |
| Website | |
| Official website: http://www.abadiadesamos.com/ | |
The Monastery of San Xulián de Samos is an old and active Benedictine monastery in Samos, Galicia, Spain. It was first built a very long time ago, in the 500s!
This monastery was once a special school for studying religion and ideas. It is also an important stop for people walking the Way of Saint James. This famous journey leads to the church of Saint James the Great.
Contents
A Look at Its History
The monastery's beginning is often linked to a person named Martin of Braga. We know it was fixed up by Saint Fructuoso in the 600s. The first time it was written about was in the year 665.
An old message on the walls says that Bishop Ermefredo from Lugo rebuilt it. After this, the monastery was left empty for a while. This happened before the Muslim invasion. King Fruela I of Asturias helped get it back around the year 760.
When King Fruela was later killed, his wife and son, who would become King Alfonso II, found a safe place in the monastery. Because of this, the monastery received special protection from the king. It was given land all around it, which helped it grow.
Challenges and Changes
In the early 900s, the bishop of Lugo, Don Ero, tried to take over the monastery. He even made the monks leave! But two counts, Arias Menéndez and Gutierre Menéndez, helped bring new monks back. After this, the monastery and the count's family had a good relationship.
Later in the same century, King Ordoño II of León helped the monks return. From the year 960, the monks followed the Rule of Saint Benedict, which is a set of rules for how monks should live. In the 1100s, the monastery joined a reform movement led by Bishop Don Juan.
The Monastery of Samos was very important during the Middle Ages. It owned many villages and lands.
Fires and Rebuilding
In 1558, a big fire badly damaged the monastery. This meant it had to be completely rebuilt. The monks had to leave in 1836 because of a law called the confiscation of Mendizabal. But the Benedictine monks came back in 1880.
Another fire happened in 1951. After this, the monastery had to be rebuilt again.
What It Looks Like
The monastery shows off different building styles. You can see parts that are late Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque. Each style has its own unique look and feel.
See also
In Spanish: Monasterio de San Julián de Samos para niños
