Monastery of San Lourenzo de Carboeiro

In the 15th century, the monastery entered a period of decline. In 1499, Pope Alexander VI incorporated Carboeiro into the monastery of San Martiño Pinario (Santiago) as a priory, mainly responsible for managing the estates in that territory. In the 19th century, during the Peninsular War, the monastery was occupied and plundered by troops, and later suffered the effects of the confiscation of church property, leading to its definitive closure. In 1840, its assets were transferred to private ownership, except for the church, which remained under the bishopric’s care. By the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the site had fallen into ruin.

The church features a remarkable apse, while the naves are relatively small in size. It is a three-nave building, with the central nave being the widest, and a large transept. In this crossing, the presbytery opens up, surrounded by an ambulatory, which connects with both the central nave and the side naves. The main apse contains three radial chapels, and the entire apse complex is built over a crypt that helps to level the uneven terrain. Additionally, the transept includes two small apsidioles. The remains of the various monastic buildings, now in ruins or heavily altered, are located on the northern side.