The ruins of the Convento de Nuestra Señora de la Hoz

Founded in 1231, the Convento de Nuestra Señora de la Hoz was inhabited by monks until 1835, when it was abandoned due to the Mendizábal disamortization laws. Today, the ruins are located at the bottom of the meander of the Hoz in the municipality of Sebúlcor, Segovia. For most of the year, the site can only be reached from the Burgomillodo reservoir, except during periods when the water level drops enough to allow for walking access.

In 1492, a storm caused the monastery to collapse, though the church was saved while the community was praying inside. Queen Isabel the Catholic, a devoted worshiper of Nuestra Señora de los Ángeles de la Hoz, ordered reconstruction works which were completed by Felipe II. During his time, Felipe II also financed works that resulted in the construction of a square and a guest house, as noted in a historical inscription from 1565.

Queen Isabel the Catholic had her own accommodation at the convent, where her arms appear in several rooms. The site was declared a site of cultural interest in 2012, preserving its history from the 13th century to its eventual fall into ruin.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons