Monastery of Santa María de Toloño facts for kids
Santa María de Toloño, also called Our Lady of los Ángeles, is an old monastery in ruins. It is located in the Sierra de Toloño mountains in Álava, Spain. This special place is near the town of Labastida. Monks from a group called the Hieronymites built it a long time ago. Sadly, much of the monastery was destroyed during a war. Today, only a few walls are left standing.
Contents
The Story of Toloño Monastery
Where is the Monastery Located?
The Santa María de Toloño monastery sits in a beautiful meadow. It is very high up, about 1,201 meters (3,940 feet) above sea level. Imagine building something so grand in such a high place!
Who Built It and When?
Monks known as the Hieronymites started building this monastery. They worked on it between the 1300s and 1400s. These monks were part of a religious order. They dedicated their lives to prayer and study.
Why Was It Abandoned?
Life at such a high altitude was very difficult. The weather was often harsh and cold. Because of these tough conditions, the monks left the monastery in 1422. It was too hard to live there all year round.
What Happened Later?
After the monks left, a group called the Hermandad de la Divisa took care of the sanctuary. This brotherhood looked after the site until the late 1700s. They helped keep the spirit of the place alive.
Destruction During War
In 1835, a sad event happened. During the First Carlist War, the monastery caught fire. This war was a big conflict in Spain. The fire caused a lot of damage. Only a part of the beautiful Baroque chapel survived.
What the Monastery Looked Like
Inside the Buildings
The monastery was very well-built. It had a main church where people prayed. There was also a special room called a camarín. This room was often used for religious images. Another important room was the sacristía, where priests prepared for services.
Special Features and Rooms
The main altar, called a retablo mayor, was made of white stone. It must have looked very grand. The monastery was quite large. It had 22 rooms for different uses. There were also five kitchens to prepare food.
Living Spaces for People
The monastery provided separate rooms for its residents. A chaplain, who was a priest, had his own space. Two hermits, who lived a simple, quiet life, also had rooms. There was even a room for a servant. The Divisa brotherhood also had a meeting room there.
See also
In Spanish: Monasterio de Santa María de Toloño para niños
