Monastery of Santa Cristina de Ribas de Sil
S Xptinae de Ripa Silis / S Christine
(Parada de Sil, Ourense)
The origins of the Monastery of Santa Cristina remain unclear due to the lack of documentation and the different interpretations given to the earliest known records about this site, with divergent datings and readings. Its foundation is likely to date back to the 10th century, a period when it possibly followed the Rule of Saint Fructuosus, which was later replaced by the Rule of Saint Benedict.
It was a modest monastery, with abbots documented as early as the 10th century. Later, donations in its favor were recorded, followed by royal privileges, the oldest preserved being from Ferdinand III of León and Castile, dated 1231, although references to earlier documents exist. Popes Martin IV (1283) and Pius II (1461) also granted it immunity privileges. Despite this, there is evidence of disputes with various individuals over interference in its affairs and misappropriations.
In the 15th century, the monastery entered a period of decline, marked by commendatory abbots, which culminated in 1517 with a bull from Pope Leo X formalizing its dissolution and incorporation into the Monastery of Santo Estevo de Ribas de Sil as a mere priory, limited to managing the revenues of its territory. During this time, restoration works were carried out on the premises, which were in a state of disrepair. In the 18th century, it underwent another phase of decline, further exacerbated in the 19th century by temporary exclaustrations and, ultimately, the definitive one in 1835. From that point, the site was abandoned by the monks and repurposed for agricultural activities, which caused significant damage to its structures.
Of the original monastery, the church is still preserved—a single-nave construction with a transept featuring three semicircular apses, the central one being the largest. This structure can be dated to around 1200, with a stone block bearing the year 1192. The main façade, facing west, features a rounded arch portal flanked by three columns and capitals on each side. Above the portal, a rose window provides light to the nave. A decorated portal, also Romanesque, now leads to the cloister, built in the 16th century over the ruins of the original one.
Apse with Renaissance mural decoration
Monastery portal
Monastery portal
Cloister
Cloister
Cloister
Cloister
Tombstone of Abbot Alfonso Fernández
Tombstone of an abbot
- BARRIOCANAL, Yolanda (2004). Un mosteiro da Ribeira Sacra, Santa Cristina de Ribas de Sil. Caixa Galicia
- FONTENLA SAN JUAN, Concha (1997). Restauración del monasterio de Santa Cristina de Ribas de Sil. Porta da aira, núm. 7
- FREIRE CAMANIEL, José (1998). El monacato gallego en la alta edad media, vol. II. La Corunya: Fund. Pedro Barrié de la Maza
- FREIXEDO ALEMPARTE, Alfredo (2002). Santa Cristina (monasterio e iglesia): Restauración, año 1990. Monestirs. Intervenció en el Patrimoni Arquitectònic. Barcelona: Col·legi d’Arquitectes de Catalunya
- GARCÍA IGLESIAS, José Manuel; dir. (2004). La Ribeira Sacra. Esencia de espiritualidad en Galicia. Xunta de Galicia
- PÉREZ GONZÁLEZ, José María; dir. (2015). Enciclopedia del románico en Galicia. Ourense. 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. 2. La Corunya: Librigal
The Monastery of Santa Cristina is located near the Sil River, within the Ribeira Sacra region. It belongs to the municipality of Parada de Sil, to the east of Ourense.