This small round window is a charming break in the imposing, thick, wall of the chapel.
The Monastery of the Avellanes (hazel nut trees-which were grown on the monastery grounds) is a bit of an oddity among our many visits to churches and monasteries all over the world. Yes, a good part of the original 12th Century monastery is there, including this charming window portrait of Saint Lawrence in the chapel, but the whole thing now has been transformed into a hotel, restaurant, and conference center. Which, come to think of it, is not too far in spirit from the original concept of monasteries as working commercial enterprises which supported the monks who lived and worked and prayed there.
I think I like the chapel's flat, dimensionless, window art of the Romanesque period better than most other styles. Piling saints on top of each other is how the did perspective. Before they knew how to paint perspective.
The place features a very nice restaurant, where we were treated to a lovely lunch, courtesy of the tourism bureau of the province of Lleida. Lleida is one of the provinces that makes up Catalunya in northeastern Spain, in case you were wondering.
I went on a whirlwind three day tour of the province with the tourist bureau in April 2015, and while I appreciated the lunch, I certainly appreciated more the chance to see yet another bit of Spain's rich cultural history.
These medieval monasteries had the most interesting, fantastic, carvings on the capitals of the cloisters. Strange animals, angels, deformed humans, all have their place.The stonemasons who built the chapel left their mark on various stones around the walls.
Ready to travel more, better, and for less?
Everything here is something we actually use. No fluff, no filler.Get our best travel tips: Join 4200+ travelers over 50 getting our best travel advice every week – and get our best travel tips sent to you immediately. Send Me the Tips →Travel Accessories:Everything we carry to make getting there and being there easier.
Flights: The best flight deals as we find them at Thrifty Traveler..
Book your Hotel: Find the best prices with Booking.com.
Travel Insurance:Don't skip this — especially after 50.Travel With Us: Join one of our small group tours.Our Amazon shop: Gear, books, and everything we actually travel with.
If you use any of the links in our posts to purchase our recommended products, we'll receive a small commission at no extra charge to you.
2 thoughts on “Monastery de les Avellanes, Lleida, Spain”
So beautiful. You did an excellent job of highlighting the architectural details!
Get our travel tips! Subscribe to our email list and join 4200+ travelers getting our best advice right in their inbox. And get our 50 best travel tips for travelers over 50 sent to you right away!
So beautiful. You did an excellent job of highlighting the architectural details!
Thanks Marilyn, when you’re in a place like this, all you have to do is point and shoot.