Santa María de Cambre is believed to have been founded in the second half of the 9th century. At that time, it was a private monastery governed by members of the same family. In 932, it was entrusted to San Paio de Antealtares (then under the dedication of San Pedro). Among those who participated in this donation were, among others, Saint Rudesind of Celanova (907-977) and Ramiro II (c. 900-951).
In 1141, Antealtares ceded Cambre to Sancha González, a member of the influential Traba family. During this period, the church was rebuilt as the previous structure did not meet adequate conditions. As agreed, upon Sancha's death, the monastery of Cambre returned to Antealtares as a priory. By 1190, the first known prior was recorded. Despite this, relations and exchanges between the Traba family and the monastery continued until, in 1495, Antealtares was incorporated into San Martiño Pinario.
In 1589, the priory suffered a pirate raid, during which it was set on fire and left in a precarious state. San Martiño Pinario undertook its reconstruction, allowing it to be maintained until the 19th century. During this latter period, it suffered the effects of the Peninsular War, but recovered, although in 1835 it was suppressed due to the ecclesiastical confiscation. By the mid-19th century, the monastery had disappeared, but fortunately, the church was preserved and regained its liturgical function, maintaining its role as a parish church. A restoration was carried out in the mid-20th century.
Of the monastery, only the church remains, a building with three naves and a transept. The apse is composed of a central body that aligns with the main nave, an ambulatory that encircles it, continuing the side naves, and five radial chapels. As this was a reconstruction of a previous church, the work was completed in several phases; the oldest part corresponds to the naves, followed by the apse and other elements such as the portals. The entire construction is believed to have been completed between the 12th and early 13th centuries.
Hydria of Jerusalem (12th century?)
From the Holy Land
- FRANCO TABOADA, José Antonio (2009). Igrexas dos mosteiros e conventos de Galicia. Xunta de Galicia
- FREIRE CAMANIEL, José (1998). El monacato gallego en la alta edad media, vol. II. La Corunya: Fund. Pedro Barrié de la Maza
- LÓPEZ FERREIRO, Antonio (1899). Historia de la Santa A. M. Iglesia de Santiago de Compostela. Santiago: Seminario Conciliar
- PÉREZ GONZÁLEZ, José María; dir. (2013). Enciclopedia del románico en Galicia. A Coruña. Aguilar de Campoo: Fundación Santa María la Real
- PÉREZ RODRÍGUEZ, Francisco Javier (2008). Mosteiros de Galicia na Idade Media. Ourense: Deputación Provincial de Ourense
- SÁ BRAVO, Hipólito de (1972). El monacato en Galicia. Vol. 1. La Corunya: Librigal
- SASTRE VÁZQUEZ, Carlos (2010). Mirando a Jerusalén desde Santa María de Cambre. Anuario Brigantino, núm. 33
- VILA DA VILA, Margarita (1986). La iglesia románica de Cambre. Ayuntamiento de Cambre
The church of the monastery is located in Cambre, south of A Coruña.