The sanctuary of San Pedro de Montes

The monastery of San Pedro de Montes is an ancient relic of León, found hidden away in the harsh terrain of Montes de Valdueza. Founded around the year 635 by San Fructuoso, it was meant to be a place of isolation and solitude, an escape from the outside world. It was one of the most powerful monasteries in the Bercian region, known as the Tebaida leonesa, a mountainous area chosen for the solitude sought by hermits like San Fructuoso and San Genadio.

The monastery remained active until the desamortización de Mendizábal, when a fire left it in a state of ruin. However, its historical importance led to it being declared a Monumento Nacional in 1931. Since the year 2003, various restoration efforts have been undertaken, with a notable project in 2017 that culminated in the recovery of the structure, ending its period of ruin. The monastery bears the name of San Pedro Apóstol, but its true legacy lies in its weathered walls, a testament to the devotion of the men who once called it home.

To reach the monastery, one must travel south from Ponferrada, crossing the Oza valley and taking the carretera del río Boeza. The journey covers approximately 20 km, ascending through a narrow section before reaching a fork that leads towards Montes de Valdueza. Here, the structure sits in the most rugged area of the Montes Aquilianos, where the first small oratory was built facing the ancient Castro Rupianensi.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons