Monastery of San Miguel de Escalada

The Monastery of San Miguel de Escalada was founded at the end of the 9^th century by the Christian monks from Córdoba, who settled down on the remains of a previous Visigoth church. It was renovated several times, due to the community’s gradual increase. However, monasteries were disappearing during the Desamortización (seizure/expropriation period when church property was confiscated by the State). The church has a basilica floor-plan, with three naves, a crossing, a horse-shoe shaped tripartite head and some iconostases. These iconostases are bordered by three horseshoe arches and chancel screen with vegetable and geometric motives. All arches are horseshoe-shaped; all shafts are made in marble; and for capitals, Roman and Visigoth elements were used. The church is covered in a painted, wooden coffered ceiling, except for the apses, where groin vault was deployed. The portico has twelve horseshoe arches; the seven westernmost ones being Mozarabic, from the 10^th century. The remaining five arches were added later, with larger capitals. The Romanesque tower from the end of the 11^th century, reinforced with buttresses. The gate, which opens in the easternmost point of the gallery, gives way to the rounded-arched San Fructuoso chapel. A feature is the picture window that opens in the Western wall with a double horseshoe arch.

Address: Carretera (road) Mansilla-Gradefes, 24166, Gradefes (León)

Opening hours:

• From May 1 to October 31
• Tuesday through Saturday from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM and from 4:30 to 8:00 PM (except holidays).
• Sundays from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM
• Closed on Mondays (holidays included)
• From November 1 to April 30
• Tuesday through Saturday from 10:00-2:00 and 4:00 to 6:00 PM (holidays included)
• Sundays from 10:00 to 2:00
• Closed on Mondays (holidays included)