Santa Fe Abbey facts for kids
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Santa Fe Abbey (also known as Spanish: Monasterio de Santa Fe in Spanish) was once a very important Cistercian monastery. Cistercians are a type of monk or nun who follow strict rules about how they live and worship. This abbey was located near Zaragoza, a city in the Aragon region of Spain.
History of Santa Fe Abbey
The story of Santa Fe Abbey actually begins with another monastery called Fuente Clara Abbey. This first monastery was founded in 1223 in a place called Alcolea de Cinca, also in Aragon. Fuente Clara Abbey was like a "daughter house" of a larger monastery in France called Abbaye de Bonnefont. This means it was started by monks from Bonnefont.
Why Did It Move?
Life in Alcolea de Cinca became difficult for the monks of Fuente Clara. They faced problems with "banditry," which means there were groups of robbers causing trouble in the area. Because of this danger, the monks had to leave their original home.
They decided to move to a safer location. So, between 1341 and 1343, the monastery was re-established at its new site near Zaragoza. This new home became known as Santa Fe Abbey.
The Abbey's End
Santa Fe Abbey operated for many years, serving as a center for religious life and learning. However, like many monasteries in Spain, it eventually closed down. This happened either in 1808 or later, between 1835 and 1837. These were times of big changes in Spain, when many religious institutions were dissolved by the government.
What Can You See Now?
Today, if you visit the site of Santa Fe Abbey, you won't find the original monastery buildings. They have disappeared over time. However, there is still a large church on the site. This church has a distinctive dome and was built much later, in the late 1700s. It was finished in 1788.
See also
In Spanish: Monasterio de Santa Fe de Huerva para niños
