Montpellier Méditerranée Métropole
The Monastery of Santa Clara was founded in 1282 by Queen Violant of Aragon (c. 1236–1300), wife of Alfonso X the Wise, with nuns from Santa Clara de Zamora who joined an existing female community. The founder had arranged to be buried at this site, although she was likely ultimately interred at the Collegiate Church of Santa María de Roncesvalles, where she passed away. By the end of the 13th century, the necessary land and permits had been secured to fulfill the queen’s founding wish.
Photo by Joseolgon, on Wikimedia
During this period, the monastery also acquired lordship over the lands comprising its properties, granting it significant prominence and power, both political and economic. However, this lordship was sold in 1560 to Pedro Pimentel, lord of Allariz. The monastery’s life continued relatively undisturbed until 1759, when a fire necessitated the near-complete reconstruction of the building. In the 19th century, the monastery faced further challenges, including the exclaustration caused by the Peninsular War (1809) and the loss of properties following the 1836 disentailment. Despite these adversities, the monastery remains active today.
- GALLEGO, Olga; i altres (1986). Santa Clara de Allariz. 7º centenario de su fundación. Boletín Auriense, an. 5
- GONZÁLEZ, Miguel Ángel (1998). La Virgen abrideira de Santa Clara de Allariz. Ourense: F. de Moure
- SÁNCHEZ, Cayetano; PRADA, M. Fernanda (2012). Reseña histórica de los monasterios de clarisas de España y Portugal. Vol. 2. Salamanca: Hermanas Clarisas de España
Detail of Mapa geográfico del partido de Ponferrada (1786)
The name San Salvador de Covas may refer to the possible eremitic origin of this monastery. It was a private foundation made around 990 by Abregon Ioannes, at the request of Bermudo II of León. In 995, the same founder gave it to the monastery of Carracedo (León), leaving it as a priory of the latter. This donation was confirmed by Pope Lucius III in 1183. In the middle of the 13th century, it no longer had a community, and in 1247 it was still a parish owned by Carracedo. It was located in present-day Covas (Rubiá, Ourense).
- BALBOA DE PAZ, José Antonio (2005). El monasterio de Carracedo. Diputación de León
- FLOREZ, Enrique (1762). España Sagrada. Vol. XVI. De la Santa Iglesia de Astorga. Madrid: J. Rodríguez
- TESTÓN, Juan Antonio (2008). La Tebaida Berciana. El monacato en la diócesis de Astorga en los períodos Antiguo y Medieval. Universidad de León