Abandoned Monastery of La Armedilla

The Monastery of La Armedilla was once a Monastery of the Order of San Jerónimo, that today lies in ruins, located about 3.8 km from Cogeces del Monte, in the province of Valladolid, Spain. Its origins are linked to a casual discovery by shepherds of an image of the Virgin Mary in a rock cave, which sparked a Marian cult and the construction of the monastery, favored by the proximity of stone and lime quarries and the guarantee of water supply. The construction of the monastery was supported by the Lord of Cuéllar, the infante D.

Fernando de Antequera, at the start of the 15th century. The monastery was mostly built between the 15th and 16th centuries, with significant works including the construction of the Jerónima church and the three-storey claustro. The monastery has been the temporary residence of the Dukes of Alburquerque for centuries, due to their patronage of the monastery. The monastery was active between the 15th and 19th centuries, with continuous works and reforms taking place, such as a notable water supply system through arches and earthen canals.

The monastery began to decline in the second decade of the 19th century with the onset of dedication and gradual deterioration. The property was transferred to private hands and was used as a quarry. Today, the nave of the church and walls and remains of the claustro, bodegas and cisterns can be seen. Remains of the medieval first construction and traces of the dependencies of the palace and the monastery can still be seen.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons