The refectory features a stone staircase built into the wall, originally used by a monk to read passages from the Bible during meals.
The monastery was granted royal patronage by Alfonso VII, who initiated its construction in 1148.
It contains a collection of 17th-century paintings that were donated by the Duchess of Medinaceli.
The structure survived the 19th-century Mendizábal Disentailment, which led to the closure of most other monasteries in Spain.
The monastery is designated as a Spanish 'Monumento Nacional' since 1882.
The Monastery of Santa Maria de Huerta is a Cistercian abbey dating back to the 12th century, situated on the border of the historical kingdoms of Castile and Aragon. Its architecture represents a transition from Romanesque to Gothic styles, featuring a prominent 13th-century refectory. The complex includes a notable Plateresque-style cloister known as the 'Plateresque Cloister' or 'Cloister of the Knights'. Monastic life remains active here, with a resident community of monks following the Rule of St. Benedict. The abbey houses a significant library and archive. The construction was heavily supported by Alfonso VII of Leon and Castile. The monastery serves as a prime example of Cistercian austerity combined with refined architectural ornamentation. It is located in the Jalón river valley, a strategic geographical position in the province of Soria.
The central courtyard of the Plateresque Cloister offers the most balanced perspective of the arcades.
Check the notice board for the daily schedule of Gregorian chant services, which are open to the public.
Explore the exterior gardens to see the remnants of the old defensive walls and the surrounding rural landscape.
Purchase artisanal jams or sweets produced by the monks in the monastery shop.
Do not attempt to enter private monastic living quarters or restricted cloister zones not marked for visitor access.
Closed to tourists during specific liturgical hours and afternoon siesta periods; verify the current weekly closure day before arriving.
Maintain silence, as this is an active cloistered monastery; dress modestly covering shoulders and knees.
