The monastery was built in the 12th century on the orders of Sancha of Castile, sister of Alphonse VII the Emperor. The French King Louis the Younger gave the Spanish princess a thorn from the crown of Jesus kept in the Monastery of San Dionís, hence its name.

The church façade and the two towers date back to the mid-17th century and are attributed to the School of Ventura Rodríguez. Inside, the two cloisters are particularly worthy of note, as are the 17th century quarters for the monks and their guests, a series of chapels and the reliquary, which holds the monstrance that safeguards the thorn.

In 1731 the building suffered a fire, and much of the monastery and library were destroyed, although fortunately, the Holy Thorn reliquary and Book of Tumbo were saved. Later came the French invasion and the Ecclesiastical Confiscations of Mendizábal, which in 1835 finally forced the remaining monks to leave.

Image gallery

Image gallery

Historical Data

Architecture
Religious architecture
Construction
Monastery / Convent
Predominant styles
Cistercian
Historical Period
Middle Ages

When to visit it?

Opening hours

  • winter (September 1 – June 30):
    • Friday: Guided tours: 16, 17 and 18 h.
    • Saturdays, Sundays and holidays: Guided tours: 10, 11, 12, 13, 16, 17, 18 h.
    • Closed: From Monday to Thursday
    • Closed in the morning: Friday
  • Summer (July 1 – August 31):
    • Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturdays, Sundays and Public holidays: Guided tours: 10, 11, 12, 13, 16, 17, 18 h.

Taxes

  • General 5 €
  • Reduced 4.5 €
(Free: religious and children under 12 years old)

Observations: Guided tours arranged for groups from Monday to Friday. Tel. 647 396 060

This portal is not responsible for possible changes in the schedules and rates reflected

Get to know the surroundings

Within a radius of

    Address and map location

    • Postal address Castromonte. Valladolid
    • Phones
      • 983 565 064
      • 983 565 011
    How to arrive
    Around
    Where to sleep
    Where to eat

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    Tourist information

    • Castromonte town hall

      Address
      To know more

    • Santa Espina (La) tourism office

      Address
      To know more

    • Valladolid tourism office

      Address
      To know more