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Renovations in the Albergue in Sobrado dos Monxes

peregrina2000

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Looks like there has been yet another ”remodeling” of the albergue in the monastery of Sobrado dos Monxes. I have stayed there twice — once in a wing of the monastery that seems to have been closed, and once in the place that has just been remodeled. The article describes the renovations as having been focused on lighting, ventilation, and spacing of beds. 737,000 € seems like a huge investment for an albergue with 98 beds.


And I have to say that I think pilgrims on the Norte now have a very difficult choice. Monastery in Sobrado dos Monxes or 6 km further on to the Abeiro da Loba, which is a fantastic eco-albergue in a tiny village. Built in the ruins of the current owner’s grandparents’ farmhouse. It is gorgeous.
 
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Hopefully they will do something about the floors in the shower area. When I was there in 2019 they were a smooth concrete painted with a glossy paint - add water and soap and it was like an ice rink!
 
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And I have to say that I think pilgrims on the Norte now have a very difficult choice. Monastery in Sobrado dos Monxes or 6 km further on to the Abeiro da Loba, which is a fantastic eco-albergue in a tiny village. Built in the ruins of the current owner’s grandparents’ farmhouse. It is gorgeous
Wow, that place looks gorgeous!
 
The ambiance certainly has changed!

March 2007 I detoured from Arzua to Sobrado dos Monxes monastery, stayed at the then very basic pilgrim albergue; there also was a separate hospederia for visitors. This monastery complex is a Baroque masterpiece, but in 2007 the albergue dorm was actually in a slightly renovated ex-stable; it was freezing!
 
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This monastery complex is a Baroque masterpiece, but in 2007 the albergue dorm was actually in a slightly renovated ex-stable; it was freezing!
That’s where I slept in 2006, I think it was. I remember that the bathrooms were not really up to human standards but I had no idea it was a stable!

The church facade has been cleaned, but I don’t think 737,000 € would have been enough to fund a full restoration of the church and other parts of the monastery. Has any forum member been inside those parts recently? FB4125F1-B94C-42FE-B168-0DAFAD7F6E4E.jpeg836BAB99-7CA9-412A-8BB2-637557C02F42.jpeg
 
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It’s the most extraordinary place with a sublime feeling of peace, but was in a truly terrible state of disrepair when we were there several years ago. Vegetation growing through the roof in places. I hope the money has been spent on saving the fabric of the building.
 
In March 2007 when I detoured to Sobrado from the Camino Frances at Arzua; the round trip walk was roughly 50 km.

When the porter saw my American passport he delightedly (and silently) pointed to several library shelves filled with the works of Thomas Merton, the renowned American Trappist.

Alone in the afternoon I wandered through the many structures in awe. No other pilgrims were about; only one other 'outsider' and I attended Vespers. The evening service was held in a splendid circular contemporary space. Walls were either painted white or natural wood. All was lit by thick, sputtering candles. The monks wearing their white robes responded in unison. It was a true privilege to share such a timeless ambiance.

However that frigid ex-stable albergue dorm remains unforgetable for being so very uncomfortable. I left at sunrise.
 
I hope the money has been spent on saving the fabric of the building.
The article spoke of 1.5 million:
They took advantage of the visit to see the work carried out in the church , in which 1.5 million were invested in a project to eliminate humidity.
Whatever that means.
I suppose at the very least the roof has been repaired.
 
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Because we live very close we did visit the monastery in december last year and even got a tour around the, at that moment nearly finished renovated albergue. It is beautifully renovated. Forget about all the negative aspects which it had before and think about the beauty of al the aspects of the place.
Because it was so ready (it only needed a last cleaunup) I was surprised that it was closed this year. Let us just hope that we can enjoy the full glory of it next year!
 
Looks like there has been yet another ”remodeling” of the albergue in the monastery of Sobrado dos Monxes. I have stayed there twice — once in a wing of the monastery that seems to have been closed, and once in the place that has just been remodeled. The article describes the renovations as having been focused on lighting, ventilation, and spacing of beds. 737,000 € seems like a huge investment for an albergue with 98 beds.


And I have to say that I think pilgrims on the Norte now have a very difficult choice. Monastery in Sobrado dos Monxes or 6 km further on to the Abeiro da Loba, which is a fantastic eco-albergue in a tiny village. Built in the ruins of the current owner’s grandparents’ farmhouse. It is gorgeous.
Don't forget in Sobrado dos Monxes the magnificent https://alberguelecer.business.site/ that's 200m from the monastery, very convenient with modern equipment.
 
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