Monastery of San Antolín de Toques
Santo Antoniño / S Antonio / S. Antonini / Tocas
(Toques, A Coruña)
San Antolín de Toques is an ancient monastery, probably founded in the 10th century, although the earliest known document related to this establishment is a donation made in its favor by King García of Galicia in 1067. Around the year 1100, the community adopted the Rule of Saint Benedict, and in 1224 the monastery became a domain of the Diocese of Santiago, thanks to the intervention of Alfonso IX of León.
By the late 15th century, with a significantly reduced community and under the protection of the Ulloa family, the monastery was reformed despite the opposition of Abbot Fray Xácome de San Xiao, who was forced to resign from his position. The monastery's properties and revenues were transferred to San Martiño Pinario, becoming a priory of that monastery in Santiago de Compostela until its suppression in 1835.
Today, the church remains, a small structure with a single nave and a nearly square apse of ancient design or tradition, likely dating from the 10th century, though later modifications have been made. The church also features sculpted decorative elements, such as capitals, a relief, and a Romanesque calvary from the 12th century. Additionally, there are significant remnants of 15th-century mural decoration, which have been restored.
Restoration work on the murals of the triumphal arch
Triumphal arch murals
Triumphal arch murals
Triumphal arch murals
Relief on the triumphal arch
Photo by Catálogo Monumental de La Coruña (1912)
Restored triumphal arch
Photo by Cossue, on Wikimedia
Capital of the triumphal arch
Capital of the triumphal arch
Calvary (12th century)
- FREIRE CAMANIEL, José (1998). El monacato gallego en la alta edad media, vol. II. La Corunya: Fund. Pedro Barrié de la Maza
- 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
- YEPES, Antonio de (reed. 1960). Crónica General de la Orden de San Benito. Vol. II. Madrid: Atlas
The church is located in Santa María da Capela, within the municipality of Toques, north of Melide, between Santiago de Compostela and Lugo