The San Zoilo Monastery is located west of Carrión de los Condes, near the bridge over the Carrión River, in the region of Tierra de Campos, Palencia, Spain. The building currently serves as the Hotel Real Monasterio San Zoilo.
In 2015, when UNESCO extended the designation of the Camino de Santiago in Spain, the San Zoilo Monastery was included in the inventory of elements associated with the French Way, registered under number 1362.
The monastery, initially dedicated to St. John the Baptist, was founded before 948, according to Ambrosio de Morales. In 1047, the counts Gómez Díaz and Teresa Peláez, members of the León nobility, endowed it again. In 1075, after the arrival of the relics of Saint Zoilo from Córdoba, the dedication of the monastery to this saint was changed.
From 1076, under the direction of the Countess Teresa Peláez and in accordance with Alfonso VI, the monastery adopted the Cluniac rule. This monastery acquired great relevance, becoming the pantheon of the Counts of Carrión and the seat of the Cluniac administrator in the Peninsula. During the Middle Ages, the monastery was famous for its hospitality, allowing pilgrims to consume bread and wine at their discretion.
Numerous historical events took place in this monastery, such as the betrothal of Sancho VI of Navarre and Sancha of Castile in 1157, and the marriage of Beatrice of Swabia to Ferdinand III the Saint in 1219.
After several restorations, in the 15th century the monastery was incorporated into the congregation of Valladolid, which brought a new period of splendor. During this period a new cloister was built. In 1835, with the exclaustration of the Benedictine community, the Jesuits took control of the building, converting it into a school until 1992 when it became a hotel.
The cloaks of the Counts, important textile relics from the 11th century, were discovered during construction work in 2003. They are believed to have been brought from Cordoba along with the relics of St. Zoilo and are currently on display in the monastery's sacristy.
From the original 11th century building, some elements are preserved, such as a window, a western doorway, the sarcophagi of the counts and part of the original facade. The cloister, designed by Juan de Badajoz el Mozo in 1537 and completed in 1604, stands out. It is richly ornamented with religious and civilian figures.
The monastery church, built in the 17th century, has a single nave and is crowned by a dome in the transept. Its façade was designed by Diego de Zorlado and consists of two sections with images of saints.
The monastery was declared a Historic-Artistic Monument in 1931 and an Asset of Cultural Interest in 2012.
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