Convent of Santa María Madalena de Sarria
Convento de Santa María Madalena / Santa María Magdalena
(Sarria, Lugo)
The existence of the monastery of Santa María Madalena de Sarria is closely linked to the development of the Way of St. James and the influx of pilgrims. It is believed to have been founded around the year 1200, coinciding with the establishment of the town of Sarria. Tradition holds that, upon returning from Santiago, two Italian pilgrims decided to establish a monastery and a hospital to care for travelers, at a site where there already existed a chapel dedicated to Saint Blaise.
According to Marcos Quesada, prior of the convent in 1666, the establishment was founded in the 13th century by members of the Congregation of the Penitence of the Martyrs of Christ, who came from Italy. The first documented reference to this monastery and hospital dates to 1219, when its Commander is mentioned. The first inhabitants of the monastery were known as Laudantes Deum, and it is thought that they may have been one of the many branches of the Hermits of Saint Augustine, followers of the rule known by that name. In a document signed in 1251, the superior of the order placed the monastery under the authority of the Bishop of Lugo and decreed that, if the brothers of the order of Laudantes Deum abandoned the house, it should be returned to the Church of Lugo.
In 1322, Pope John XXII issued a bull in favour of the Convent of the Magdalena of the Fathers of the Penitence of the Blessed Martyrs of Christ, Order of Saint Augustine of Sarria, granting indulgences. This was an autonomous order whose members were not known as Augustinians but as Magdalenians. Two priories dependent on this convent are recorded. In 1534, Pope Clement VII appointed Friar Álvaro Pérez de Sarria as lifelong prior of the monastery. He accumulated significant power until he was forcibly removed during the Council of Trent era.
In 1568, with the intervention of an armed group, the community was compelled to submit to the observance of the Order of Saint Augustine. Friar Álvaro Pérez accepted this obedience but refused to resign from the position of prior granted to him by the pope. Consequently, the monastery was seized, and the community was expelled from the convent, physically removed from the building. Later, the doors were reopened, and the friars returned, having to declare their assets, which were confiscated.
Once regularized and incorporated into the Order of Saint Augustine, the convent resumed its activities, with the distinction that the friars no longer professed or belonged exclusively to the monastery but were instead available to any other convent of the order. During the 18th century, significant reconstruction works were carried out. In 1835, the convent was expropriated due to the disentailment laws. The church regained its function, while the convent was converted into a prison, resulting in the loss of many movable assets and archival records. In 1895, negotiations began with the Mercedarian order to revitalize the site, and in 1896, the return of religious activity was achieved. The Mercedarians have continued to maintain the convent to this day.
Photo by Zarateman, on Wikimedia
Photo by Zarateman, on Wikimedia
- ESTRADA, Basilio (1988). Los agustinos ermitaños en España hasta el siglo XIX. Madrid: Revista Agustiniana
- PÉREZ RODRÍGUEZ, Francisco Javier (2008). Mosteiros de Galicia na Idade Media. Ourense: Deputación Provincial de Ourense
- RISCO, Fray Manuel (1798). España Sagrada, Lugo, vol. 41. Madrid: Marín
- SOLLA FONTÁN, Luis Jaime (1995). El monasterio de Santa María Magdalena de Sarria (Lugo). Monjes y monasterios españoles. San Lorenzo del Escorial: Estudios Superiores del Escorial
- VÁZQUEZ SANTOS, Rosa(1998). El libro de sepulturas del monasterio de Santa María Magdalena de Sarria. Cuadernos de estudios gallegos, núm. 110
The convent is located on the outskirts of Sarria, away from the town centre