Gradefes

Graded is a quiet Leonese town whose visit is indispensable for lovers of Romanesque art. By the banks of the Esla River, it houses the Monastery of Santa María la Real, one of the first female Cistercian convents in Spain, founded in the 12th century. Its church, with its apse and carved capitals, is a magnificent example of transition from Romanesque to Gothic art. The community of nuns still inhabits the monastery, keeping alive a tradition of centuries. For the pilgrim exploring alternative routes through León, Graded offers a stop of great spiritual and artistic value, a place for contemplation and rest in a serene beautiful setting, far from the more heavily trafficked routes.