By Lawrence L.
Group 4

We’ve visited several monasteries on this trip, but none quite like the one today. The Monastery of Las Huelgas is an active nunnery founded in 1187 by Alphonso VIII of Castille and is governed by a group of Cistercian nuns. Its original purpose was to feed and care for the pilgrims along the Camino de Santiago. It is here that they sustain themselves through the decoration of porcelain items, making rosaries, and providing laundry services for local hotels. On display are various textiles, tapestries and other art work seized from the royal tombs at the convent. These are the tombs of the Royal family of Castille.