Monastery of Oseira

[peregrina2000]

In this article, http://www.laregion.es/articulo/ourense/escorial-galicia-ourense/20150419112333538330.html

the Monastery of Oseira is referred to as the Escorial of Ourense. That is definitely not the analogy I would make -- I find the Escorial to be imposing, arrogant, ponderous, and the Oseira monastery as a peaceful charming place nestled in a little village. But maybe I'm missing something.

Don't miss the chance to sleep here -- it's cold and damp but oh so lovely!
Buen camino, Laurie

 

[jirit]

Cold and damp is correct.

Even with 4 blankets and a sleeping bag, we still froze.

 

[Peregrinopaul]

In this article, http://www.laregion.es/articulo/ourense/escorial-galicia-ourense/20150419112333538330.html

the Monastery of Oseira is referred to as the Escorial of Ourense. That is definitely not the analogy I would make -- I find the Escorial to be imposing, arrogant, ponderous, and the Oseira monastery as a peaceful charming place nestled in a little village. But maybe I'm missing something.

Don't miss the chance to sleep here -- it's cold and damp but oh so lovely!
Buen camino, Laurie

Yes indeed, it is a beautiful spot, and a spiritual experience. I was told that both Hemingway and Graham Greene stayed there, the latter several times on retreat. (Greene set the final chapter of his hilarious novel "Monsignor Quixote" at the abbey.)

 

[J&L]

In this article, http://www.laregion.es/articulo/ourense/escorial-galicia-ourense/20150419112333538330.html

the Monastery of Oseira is referred to as the Escorial of Ourense. That is definitely not the analogy I would make -- I find the Escorial to be imposing, arrogant, ponderous, and the Oseira monastery as a peaceful charming place nestled in a little village. But maybe I'm missing something.

Don't miss the chance to sleep here -- it's cold and damp but oh so lovely!
Buen camino, Laurie

Laurie,

Do the accommodations at the Oseira monastery have sheets/pillows available in addition to blankets? Thanks!

Jeff

 

[peregrina2000]

Laurie,

Do the accommodations at the Oseira monastery have sheets/pillows available in addition to blankets? Thanks!

Jeff

Hi Jeff. Pretty sure there are ( or at least were) no sheets. But I'm not sure about the pillows. But thankfully there were plenty of blankets!!

 

[J&L]

Hi Jeff. Pretty sure there are ( or at least were) no sheets. But I'm not sure about the pillows. But thankfully there were plenty of blankets!!

Thank you, Laurie!

 

[windswept]

In this article, http://www.laregion.es/articulo/ourense/escorial-galicia-ourense/20150419112333538330.html

the Monastery of Oseira is referred to as the Escorial of Ourense. That is definitely not the analogy I would make -- I find the Escorial to be imposing, arrogant, ponderous, and the Oseira monastery as a peaceful charming place nestled in a little village. But maybe I'm missing something.

Don't miss the chance to sleep here -- it's cold and damp but oh so lovely!
Buen camino, Laurie

Hi did you have to book or telephone ahead or did you just turn up? Thanks

 

[peregrina2000]

Hi did you have to book or telephone ahead or did you just turn up? Thanks

We just showed up, I would be surprised if they even had a reservation system.

 

[windswept]

Th

We just showed up, I would be surprised if they even had a reservation system.

Thanks, I'll do the same

 

[alansykes]

[QUOTE="peregrina2000, post: 294960, member: 537"

the Monastery of Oseira is referred to as the Escorial of Ourense. That is definitely not the analogy I would make -- I find the Escorial to be imposing, arrogant, ponderous, and the Oseira monastery as a peaceful charming place nestled in a little village. [/QUOTE]

I'm a great fan of Oseira as well. I didn't know Hemingway had stayed there, but on my way to vespers, the monk who was showing me the way led me into a slightly bare "suite" - a bedroom, loo and sitting room with chair and desk, and a small balcony looking out over the lovely valley - and told me that was where Graham Greene used to stay on his retreats.

I think they tend to compare any imposing old ecclesiastic building with the Escorial. When I was in El Toboso, the tourist office referred to the convent of Las Trinitarias as the "Escorial de La Mancha", a title I believe it shares with Uclés, while the parador at Corias is sometimes called "El Escorial asturiano", and I see Santa María de Veruela, which I hope to pass by on my way up the camino Castellano-Aragónes this autumn, is "El Escorial de Aragón".

One day perhaps I'll get to see the real one for the first time.

 

[Peregrinopaul]

[QUOTE="peregrina2000, post: 294960, member: 537"


I'm a great fan of Oseira as well. I didn't know Hemingway had stayed there, but on my way to vespers, the monk who was showing me the way led me into a slightly bare "- ........and told me that was where Graham Greene used to stay on his retreats.

I feel a little envious, Alan. I'm a great fan of Greene. You must read Monsignor Quixote after that experience. Incidentally, the BBC made a film of the book about 20 years ago, with Alec Guiness in the title role. They apparently got permission to film the climax at Oseira.

 

[peregrina2000]

while the parador at Corias is sometimes called "El Escorial asturiano"

Alan, thanks for the note about Corias. I didn´t know this parador had actually opened. My son spent a year in Cangas del Narcea as an English language teacher after graduation from college. I visited there at least three times, in 2008 or 9, and the townfolk didn´t believe it would ever actually open, and were actually kind of disdainful about the huge expenditure of money when Cangas itself, as a depressed former mining town, is in such bad shape. That building is enormous (and it struck me as equally inhospitable as the Escorial, so maybe the analogy is a good one in this case). I just have a hard time believing it can be profitable. The website of the paradores describes Cangas del Narcea as a "lovely" Asturian town, and that made me laugh out loud. The people are great, the ambiente is terrific, but the town is nothing remotely connected with lovely, except for maybe one little part down by its medieval bridge. It is, pardon the slight, one of the ugliest towns in all of Spain, IMO. Buen camino, Laurie

 

[Deise]

In this article, http://www.laregion.es/articulo/ourense/escorial-galicia-ourense/20150419112333538330.html

the Monastery of Oseira is referred to as the Escorial of Ourense. That is definitely not the analogy I would make -- I find the Escorial to be imposing, arrogant, ponderous, and the Oseira monastery as a peaceful charming place nestled in a little village. But maybe I'm missing something.

Don't miss the chance to sleep here -- it's cold and damp but oh so lovely!
Buen camino, Laurie

I agree wholeheartedly - lovely experience and if you wish to attend the monks vespers you are welcome.

toilets and showers are now in the albergue

 

[peregrina2000]

I agree wholeheartedly - lovely experience and if you wish to attend the monks vespers you are welcome.

toilets and showers are now in the albergue

Toilets and showers in the albergue?! One of the memorable little snippets I have of that night was having to wait for a monk to take us through a maze of corridors to find a shower, which I remember as being way up in the eaves somewhere. This must mean traffic is increasing, no?

How about food, toma horse? Did you find a place to eat dinner? We were served in one of the bars, but only very reluctantly and not with much kindness. Buen camino, Laurie

 

[Deise]

I agree wholeheartedly - lovely experience and if you wish to attend the monks vespers you are welcome.

toilets and showers are now in the albergue

Toilets and showers in the albergue?! One of the memorable little snippets I have of that night was having to wait for a monk to take us through a maze of corridors to find a shower, which I remember as being way up in the eaves somewhere. This must mean traffic is increasing, no?

How about food, toma horse? Did you find a place to eat dinner? We were served in one of the bars, but only very reluctantly and not with much kindness. Buen camino, Laurie

i believe the changes are due to new hospitalero ( Lucas) and Abbot -
unfortunately the food in bars is not the best but still a memorable stay.

 

[Peregrinopaul]

Lucas was the hospitalero when I was at the abbey in 2012. I'm glad to hear he's still there. He was very considerate and helpful.

 

[windswept]

Lucas was the hospitalero when I was at the abbey in 2012. I'm glad to hear he's still there. He was very considerate and helpful.

I was their yesterday 18 May. You can read about my experience
at

www.dartmoorwalker.blogspot.co.uk