Founded in 1168, the building of the church, according to an engraving on the northern lower wall, began on March 1st, 1177 under the patronage of the woman who became its Abbess -Teresa Pérez, widow of García Pérez, a knight of Alfonso VII. The first community was made up of Cistercian nuns who came from the monastery of Tulebras, Navarra. It became an important and privileged female monastery.

It is the only example in Spain of a female monastery having an ambulatory. In the church are the tombs with statues of the founding couple, a polychromatic work from the late 13th century. Kept in the monastery rooms are the polychromatic wooden carvings of a 12th century Virgin and a Gothic Christ, formerly part of a Calvary from the 14th century.

Image gallery

Historical Data

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

When to visit it?

Opening hours

  • From October 21 to March 30:
    • Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturdays, Sundays and Public holidays: 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM and 4:00 PM - 6:30 PM
    • Closed: Monday and Tuesday
  • Summer (March 23 – October 20):
    • Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturdays, Sundays and Public holidays: 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM and 4:30 PM - 7:30 PM
  • From June 15 to July 15:
    • From Wednesday to Sunday: 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM and 4:30 PM - 7:30 PM
    • Closed: Monday and Tuesday

Taxes

4 € (Guided tours of the monastery route: €6 - Groups of 10 people or more.)

Observations: Monastery Route. Guided tour of: Santa María de Gradefes, San Miguel de Escalada, San Pedro de Eslonza, and Villarmún. Reservations required: +34 601 63 36 50. * Closed on October 27 and 28 and November 3 and 4, 2025.

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 San Bernardo, 54. Gradefes. NaN. León
    • Phones
      987 333 011
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    Tourist information

    • Gradefes town hall

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    • Gradefes tourism office

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    • León tourism office

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