Royal Monastery of Santa María de Veruela

Few visits in the province of Zaragoza offer such a direct glimpse into the Middle Ages as the Royal Monastery of Santa María de Veruela. This is a Cistercian abbey built in the 12th century, and that fact alone is enough to explain the interest it holds for lovers of history and medieval art.

The monastery lies near Vera de Moncayo, within the Tarazona y el Moncayo district, in the heart of Aragon. Its location, set somewhat apart from the town, is part of its appeal: visitors arrive at a complex that still retains the sense of retreat characteristic of Cistercian communities, which were designed for prayer and work far from the hustle and bustle.

The title of «Royal» that accompanies its name is a reminder that this is no ordinary monastery, but an abbey of notable standing, and its age – almost nine hundred years – makes it one of those places where it pays to linger, to explore its spaces at a leisurely pace and let the silence work its magic.

For anyone planning a short break in this part of Aragon, Veruela is a natural stop that can be combined with a visit to Vera de Moncayo and the rest of the Tarazona y el Moncayo district. It is well worth setting aside plenty of time: this is one of those monuments that you enjoy all the more the more slowly you take it in, and which leaves visitors feeling they have touched a genuine piece of Aragon's medieval past.