In 1953 Time Magazine Called This “The Biggest Jigsaw Puzzle in History”- The Ancient Spanish Monastery

In 1133 AD, construction of the Monastery of St. Bernard de Clairvaux began in Sacramenia, Spain. When completed in 1141 AD, the Monastery was named ‘The Monastery of Our Lady, Queen of the Angels.’ The name was changed in honor of Bernard of Clairvaux when he was canonized in 1174. The Cistercian monks occupied the Monastery for nearly 700 years, but after a social revolution in the 1830's, the Monastery’s Cloisters were seized, sold, and converted into a granary and stable.

Fast forward to 1925 when American newspaper publisher William Randolph Hearst purchased the Cloisters to be reassembled at his estate in San Simeon, California. He ordered the structures dismantled, packed, crated, numbered and shipped to the United States. Hearst started to have money problems when the Depression hit, and these crates sat in a warehouse in Brooklyn, New York. One year after Hearst’s death in 1952, the crates were purchased by two entrepreneurs for use as a tourist attraction in North Miami, Florida. In 1964, philanthropist Colonel Robert Pentland, Jr. purchased the Cloisters and gave it as a gift to the Episcopal Diocese of Southeast Florida and is open for tours, services and a venue.

This is what caught my eye; I hope you enjoy!

The monastery was home to Cistercian monks for nearly 700 years.

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The Monastery blends with the surrounding grounds, filled with gardens, walkways and statues.

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This is inside the museum building, the first stop at the property. This is a 1600’s Prussian armor from the William Randolph Heart’s collection.

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An old carved wooden wagon hearse.

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One of the many coat of arms.

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Statue of Alphonsus Z Fundavit Annoiai.

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An ancient bell mounted on the wall just outside the chapel.

This statue of the Virgin was sculpted by a unknown artist in Cannes.

Inside the former Monastery refrectory, now used as a chapel.

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The unusual three-legged French Altar from the medieval period.

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The life-size statue of Alphonso VIII, King of Castile.

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These sculptures are in the garden area, but do not have any name or artist identified.

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What you should know:

There are walking trails.

• Restroom is available.

• One price includes parking, self-guided tours of the cloister and grounds.

• Guided tours are also available.

• The guided tour lasts between 45-60 minutes.

• Tickets can be purchased on site.

• Check website for days and hours of operation.

Location: 16711 W Dixie Hwy, North Miami Beach, FL 33160

For more information: Ancient Spanish Monastery

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