The entire structure was dismantled in Spain, shipped to New York, and remained in storage for 26 years before reconstruction.
Hearst's shipment was delayed by a quarantine due to a foot-and-mouth disease outbreak in Spain, requiring the crates to be fumigated.
The monastery was originally named the Monastery of Our Lady, Queen of the Angels.
Experts have identified markings on the stones that were made by 12th-century masons to indicate where each piece belonged.
The project of rebuilding the monastery in Florida was spearheaded by two entrepreneurs who hoped it would attract tourists.
The site includes a rare, preserved example of a medieval refectory with original stone vaulting.
Cistercian monks occupied the site in Spain for nearly 700 years until a social revolution caused its secularization in the 1830s.
The structure survived a fire in the 1950s that occurred during its reassembly process.
The Ancient Spanish Monastery consists of the cloisters of the Monastery of Saint Bernard de Clairvaux, originally built in Sacramenia, Spain, in 1133. William Randolph Hearst purchased the structure in 1925, had it dismantled stone by stone, and shipped to the United States in over 11,000 crates. Following years of storage in a Brooklyn warehouse, the stones were reassembled in North Miami Beach between 1950 and 1954. The complex features authentic Romanesque and Gothic architecture, including original stone carvings and inscriptions. It remains an active parish of the Episcopal Diocese of Southeast Florida. The site is characterized by its quiet courtyards, extensive formal gardens, and historic stone archways. It serves as a popular venue for cultural events, weddings, and academic study.
The central courtyard featuring the banyan trees and the Romanesque arched walkways.
Bring a camera without a tripod, as professional equipment may require prior authorization.
Wear comfortable walking shoes to navigate the uneven historic stone floor surfaces.
Check the event calendar online before arriving, as the site occasionally closes to the public for private weddings or ceremonies.
Do not visit without checking the online calendar, as private events frequently limit access to specific cloisters or garden areas.
Occasionally closed to the public for private events and religious services; typically closed on major holidays.
Maintain a quiet, respectful demeanor as this is an active house of worship; appropriate attire is requested.
