San Martín de Albelda facts for kids
The San Martín de Albelda Monastery was an important religious building in La Rioja, Spain. Its ruins are now found near the town of Albelda de Iregua. In the 900s, this monastery was a leading center for culture and learning in Spain and across Western Europe.
Contents
The Monastery's Beginning
The monastery was started on January 5, 924. It was founded by King Sancho Garcés I and Queen Toda Aznárez of Navarre. They built it to show thanks after they successfully took back the cities of Nájera and Viguera in 923. This victory happened with the help of Ordoño II of León, another king.
The monastery followed the rules of Saint Benedict, which guided how the monks lived. Its name, monasterium Albaidense, came from an old Muslim fort called al-Bayadh (meaning "the White") that was once on the same spot. The first leader, or abbot, was named Peter. However, by January 5, 925, a new abbot named Gabellus was in charge. This change might have happened because the monastery was attacked by Abd ar-Rahman III the year before.
A Center for Learning and Culture
The monastery grew quickly because it was located on important trade routes. These routes connected different regions like Álava, Castile, and Navarre, all north of the Ebro River.
By the year 950, San Martín de Albelda was home to 200 monks! A French bishop named Godescalcus visited the monastery. He was on the first known pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela. While there, he had his helpers copy an important book called De uirginitate beatae Mariae.
The monastery also had a "daughter house" or smaller monastery called San Prudencio de Laturce.
The Famous Codex Albeldensis
In 976, the monks at Albelda created a very special book called the Codex Albeldensis. This was a large manuscript made of parchment, with 430 pages. It is famous for a few reasons:
- It contains the first pictures of Spanish kings and queens made while they were still alive. These include images of Sancho Garcés II, Ramiro Garcés, and Urraca Fernández.
- It also has the first known record of Arabic numerals (the numbers 1 through 9) in Western Europe. The number 0 was not included yet.
Another important book copied at the monastery was the Liber Ordinum of the Mozarabic rite, which was a special way of performing church services.
Later Years and Decline
Under the powerful King Sancho Garcés III, the monastery received the castle of Clavijo. Albelda even became a diocese, which is an area managed by a bishop. The bishops of Albelda had their main church in San Martín from 1033 to 1092.
After this time, the monastery started to become less important. Between 1167 and 1180, it was changed into a collegiate church. This meant it was run by a group of priests following the Rule of Saint Augustine. In 1435, the monastery was officially joined with another church, the Concatedral de Santa María de la Redonda. This happened because of a special order from Pope Eugene IV.
Images for kids
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Contemporary depictions (and self-depiction) of three monks of Albelda, the scribes of the Codex Albeldensis, from left to right: Serracino, Vigila, and García (as drawn by Vigila)
See also
In Spanish: Monasterio de San Martín de Albelda para niños
- Catholic Church in Spain
