This week we are talking about a charm between Aragon and Navarra, the Yesa Reservoir. Among the tourist attractions of this destination we name the Leyre Monastery, but today we focus exclusively on him.
Do you like medieval buildings? The Gregorian chants, perhaps? Do you want to enjoy phenomenal views of the most beautiful reservoir in Spain? So, read our post of the day carefully.
The Monastery of Leyre
It is an important monastery among the Spanish monasteries, for its history and for its elegant architecture. It is just 52 kilometers from Pamplona and it is on the route of the Camino de Santiago that thousands of pilgrims make every year.
It is built on the Sierra de Leyre, also called Sierra de Errando, pre-Pyrenees mountains, on the valley of the Aragón river, which at this point is encased in the reservoir. Right at the height of the Yesa swamp. You can access it by the N-240 road that runs between San Sebastián and Tarragona, although it is necessary to take a detour of four kilometers to come face to face with the monastery.
Which his story? It is not known for sure when it was founded, although the first documented news dates from the eleventh century when Saint Eulogio de Córdoba visited it and recorded his visit in the 848. At that time he was not a saint but a simple priest and he was going to Germanic lands. In his passage through the lands of Aragon and Navarre he left a rich description of his experiences in the local monasteries and among them is Leyre, the only one who after all this time is still standing.
Although his comments are brief, added to other historical references, an image of the monastery of that time can be combined: with a great community and a great rich library. The geographical location has marked its history, between Christians and Muslims. In the XNUMXth century there were repeated invasions so life around here was complicated and the monarchy ended up taking refuge in Leyre and the bishops of Pamplona were chosen from among the monks of the monastery.
By this time, without a doubt, the Leyre Monastery was already the most important in Navarra.
Visit the Monastery of Leyre
The architectural ensemble is impressive. There are two monasteries, one older and one newer.. The oldest dates from the XNUMXth century and although it is not XNUMX% from that century, traces of primitive architecture can be seen in it. Among these ancient buildings is that in modern times the hotel industry was built.
To start the visit here, we can first stop at the plaza of the apses. From this point you can see the three exterior apses of the church and the tower, three solid-looking stone blocks and narrow windows. On the left is the new monastery which is from the XNUMXth century and to the right the old monastery of the XNUMXth and XNUMXth centuries, today the hospitality industry.
If you are interested in knowing the crypt, you must enter the medieval monastery through the door that leads to the lobby and is the closest to the apses. The crypt is Romanesque and it has narrow staggered and superimposed arches, very robust. Thick, coarse columns with large capitals. A stony grove that supports vaulted naves. The crypt It was consecrated in the year 1057.
Passing the crypt is the call San Virila tunnel which at that time faced the exterior of the monastery worse than today has a gate that, although closed, communicates with the new monastery. The tunnel is so named because at the end there is the image of San Virila from the XNUMXth century, the abbot of Leyre, a monk who always thought about eternal life in heaven, or rather about the doubts that this thought brought him.
Now, the church has three parts. Is the Romanesque headboard from the same period as the crypt with narrow aisles and a rustic decorative style. Then there is the Great ShipRomanesque too, with Gothic and Romanesque columns. It has two windows.
And finally there is the Gothic Vault that covers the 14 meter width of the nave with a single arch. They say that it is one of the most beautiful warheads in Navarra and is dominated by the image of Santa María de Leyre in the central apse, a carving of Christ and to the north the pantheon of the kings.
El Royal pantheon It is located in the arcosolium in the center of the nave of the abbey church. There is an iron and bronze Christ with Navarrese chains and in a very sober chest, in the neo-Gothic style, made of oak, are the remains of the first kings of Navarre with his name on a bronze plaque. Among so many men there are also seven queens buried.
As extra information I highlight that every year homage is paid to the kings and queens of Navarra. This year it was July 1 and there is an organ recital, mass, dances and a popular aperitif in the monastic gardens.
The music of this organ is beautiful, the instrument is from the 60s of the XNUMXth century and it is a very outstanding work of the Navarre organics. Another specialty of the Monastery of Leyre are its Gregorian chants. These songs are actually a compendium of vocal musical works dating from the XNUMXth, XNUMXth and XNUMXth centuries and represent the church's musical expression of faith. Here are heard in all liturgical servicesexcept Matins.
A staircase leads from the crypt that leads to the courtyard of the old monastery where the architectural and artistic journey continues. I leave you here Useful information about the tourist visits to the monastery of Leyre:
- Opening hours: open this November from 10:30 am to 6 pm. Free visits are until 5:30 pm.
- Visits by reservation are for groups of ten adults from Monday to Friday. Saturdays are 11:30, 12:30, 16:00 and 17:00. Sundays and holidays 12:30, 13:30, 16:00 and 17:00.
- It opens every day except December 24 in the afternoon, January 25, 1 and January 6.
- The free visit costs 3 euros per adult and the guided visit 20 euros.
Finally, some information about the Leyre guesthouse.
- It was built in 1976 and is two star.
- It has 32 rooms: 16 doubles, 12 singles, 1 triple and three quadruple. All have central heating, WiFi, full bathroom.
- There is restaurant, bar, non-smoking rooms, elevator, gift shop. Parking is free.
Bon voyage!