The founding date of the Monastery of San Pedro de Ramirás is unknown, although it is thought to date back to the 10th century, probably as a family-run establishment. The first documentary reference appears in 1021, related to a donation made in its favor. By 1187, it was mentioned as a female monastery led by Abbess Urraca. It became a notable monastery, with a community that, during the 13th century, consisted of around thirty nuns.
The significance of the medieval construction is noteworthy, particularly given that it was a female monastery and its proximity to the powerful Monastery of San Salvador de Celanova, which sought to annex it as one of its priories. In the 14th century, it entered a period of decline, which worsened until only two nuns remained in 1420. In 1499, the monastery was united with that of San Paio de Antealtares (Santiago de Compostela), becoming one of its priories. It was abandoned in 1835 due to the disentailment process. In the mid-20th century, monastic life was temporarily restored with the arrival of a community of Poor Clares, who remained there until 1993.
The medieval church that still stands today is the successor to an older one. It is a building dating to the late 12th and early 13th centuries, with a basilica floor plan, three naves, and three apses, without a transept. The main façade, facing west, features a central portal flanked by three columns on each side, with decorated capitals and archivolts. The north and south sides of the church contain simpler portals.
Western portal
Western portal
North portal
North portal
- FREIRE CAMANIEL, José (1998). El monacato gallego en la alta edad media, vol. II. La Corunya: Fund. Pedro Barrié de la Maza
- LUCAS ALVAREZ, Manuel (1981). El archivo del monasterio de San Pedro de Ramirás en la edad media. Compostellanum, vol. XXVI
- 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
The Monastery of San Pedro de Mosteiro, located in the municipality of Ramirás, lies to the west of Celanova