The monastery was founded in 1162 under the patronage of King Alfonso VII.
It remained abandoned for over a century following the 19th-century Mendizábal confiscation of church property.
The resident Cistercian community returned to the monastery in 1989 after decades of neglect.
The monastery produces artisanal products, including soaps and cosmetics derived from local plants.
The church's main facade retains original 12th-century Romanesque elements, while the cloister reflects later 16th-century modifications.
The site serves as a spiritual refuge for pilgrims walking the 'Variante Espiritual' route towards Santiago de Compostela.
The name 'Armenteira' is derived from the Latin 'armentaria,' referring to livestock breeding areas common in the region.
Mosteiro de Santa María da Armenteira is a Cistercian monastery founded in the 12th century, located in the hills of Meis, Pontevedra. The structure features a Romanesque church with a prominent rose window and a cloister that blends Cistercian austerity with later architectural additions. It was originally established by monks from the Monastery of Carracedo and has undergone significant restoration in the 20th century. The site is a key waypoint on the Spiritual Variant of the Portuguese Way of Saint James. The surrounding gardens and stone structures maintain the historic contemplative function of the order. The interior houses a notable Gothic-style Virgin statue.
The central cloister courtyard, which provides a symmetrical view of the stone arches and garden.
Explore the 'Ruta da Pedra e da Auga' walking trail nearby, which connects the monastery to the surrounding valley.
Purchase artisanal soaps made by the nuns at the site's small shop to support their preservation efforts.
Check the monastery's official website for potential retreat availability if seeking a longer spiritual stay.
Do not attempt to enter private monastic living quarters or cloistered areas not explicitly marked for public access.
The church may close during private religious services or daily monastic prayer hours.
Maintain silence inside the church and areas marked for prayer; dress modestly covering shoulders and knees.
