The Ancient Spanish Monastery of Miami
Nestled in the heart of North Miami Beach, just off bustling Dixie Highway, stands a structure that seems to defy both time and geography. The Ancient Spanish Monastery, formally known as the Church of St. Bernard de Clairvaux, is not only one of Miami’s most intriguing landmarks-it’s a living symbol of nearly 900 years of European history, spirituality, and architectural splendor.
This is no ordinary building. With origins that stretch back to the 12th century in Spain, a transatlantic journey that reads like a Hollywood script, and a present-day role as both a sacred space and a community hub, the monastery’s story is as rich and layered as the limestone blocks that form its ancient cloisters.
The story begins in 1133 in the small village of Sacramenia, in the province of Segovia, northern Spain. Commissioned by King Alfonso VII and completed in 1141, the monastery was originally dedicated to the Blessed Mother, under the name “The Monastery of Our Lady, Queen of the Angels.” Later, it was renamed in honor of Bernard of Clairvaux, the influential Cistercian abbot and primary reformer of his order.
Built in the elegant Cistercian Romanesque style, the monastery soon became home to monks from France, who would occupy its halls for the next 700 years. Over time, the architecture evolved, blending Romanesque solidity with the soaring lines of early Gothic.
Tumult and Transformation
For centuries, the monastery was a center of spiritual life, weathering the storms of Christian-Muslim conflict and social upheaval. But in the 1830s, a revolution swept through Spain, leading to the secularization and sale of church properties. The once-revered monastery was shuttered, its sacred spaces repurposed as a granary and stable-a far cry from its original purpose.
The next chapter in the monastery’s saga is nothing short of astonishing. In 1925, the American newspaper tycoon William Randolph Hearst purchased the cloisters and outbuildings for $500,000. He originally intended to reconstruct them at his estate in California. The buildings were meticulously dismantled, each stone numbered and packed in hay-lined crates - 11,000 in all - and shipped across the Atlantic.
However, fate would intervene. Upon arrival in New York, the shipment was quarantined due to a hoof-and-mouth disease outbreak in Spain. The hay in the containers was burned, and the stones were haphazardly repacked - resulting in the loss of crucial labeling information. Hearst’s newly acquired financial troubles soon after meant the crates languished in a Brooklyn warehouse for over 25 years - their contents a massive, unsolved puzzle.
In 1952, entrepreneurs Raymond Moss and William Edgemon acquired the crates for a mere $19,000. They transported them to North Miami Beach and, over 19 months and at a cost equivalent to nearly $20 million today, painstakingly reassembled the monastery. Time magazine dubbed the project “the biggest jigsaw puzzle in history”.
Despite their efforts, Moss and Edgemon’s dream of a thriving tourist attraction faltered when a new highway diverted traffic away from the site. Eventually, the property was sold to Colonel Robert Pentland, Jr., a philanthropist who donated it to the Episcopal Diocese of Southeast Florida in 1964.
Today, the Ancient Spanish Monastery is an active Episcopal church, hosting regular services in both English and Spanish. But it is also much more - a cultural, historical, and spiritual oasis in the midst of Miami’s urban sprawl. Its lush, 20-acre gardens, cloistered walkways, and medieval courtyards offer a serene escape, drawing visitors from around the world.
The monastery’s architecture is a wonder in itself, with carved ceilings, stone arches, stained glass windows, and colorful coats of arms adorning the cloisters. Statues, fountains, and lantern-lit paths evoke the ambiance of medieval Europe, while sacramental stone tables and a soaring bell tower anchor the site in its sacred purpose.
The monastery is a magnet for artists, historians, architects, and writers, all drawn by its unique blend of Romanesque and Gothic styles. Local artists often find inspiration in its tranquil gardens, while architecture enthusiasts marvel at the fusion of its two distinct medieval traditions.
A museum on the grounds houses historic Spanish artifacts, including a hymnarium (a collection of hymns, typically in a book format, used for singing in religious services) and pieces of armor from the Crusades - providing further insight into the monastery’s storied past. The site also hosts community events, concerts, and educational tours, reinforcing its role as a living link between continents and centuries.
Not surprisingly, the Ancient Spanish Monastery has become one of South Florida’s most coveted wedding venues - offering a choice of three chapels and five outdoor garden spaces. Whether couples seek a grand celebration in the Main Chapel, an intimate ceremony in the French Altar, or a garden wedding beneath ancient oaks and banyans, the monastery provides a setting of unparalleled beauty.
Receptions can be held in the cloisters, loggia, or gardens, with the flexibility to bring in outside caterers and decorators. The combination of medieval architecture and lush landscaping creates a magical backdrop for unforgettable celebrations.
The monastery’s walls have witnessed nearly nine centuries of human drama. From the arrival of French monks in 12th-century Spain, through wars, revolutions, and the upheaval of transatlantic relocation, to its rebirth in Miami, the site is steeped in legend and lore.
One of the most intriguing tales is that of the stones themselves. After the crates were unpacked in Miami, workers faced the daunting task of reconstructing the monastery with many stones mislabeled or out of order due to the earlier quarantine mishap. The result is a structure that, while faithful to its origins, carries the subtle marks of its extraordinary journey.
The congregation of St. Bernard de Clairvaux reflects the diversity of Miami itself, with members from a wide array of backgrounds-Black, White, Hispanic, Polish, Iranian, French, Haitian, and more5. The monastery’s leaders see their role as stewards, sharing this remarkable treasure with all who seek its peace and inspiration.
“We always say, ‘if these walls could talk, what stories could they tell us?’” says one longtime minister. “We have a responsibility to share this special place and to preserve it for future generations.”
Fascinating Facts:
Oldest Building in the Americas
Because the monastery was built in 12th-century Spain, its cloisters are considered the oldest building in the Americas.Declared a National Monument
The original monastery site in Spain was declared a national monument in 1931, even after much of its structure had been shipped to America.A Tale of Two Styles
The monastery uniquely blends Romanesque and Gothic architecture, a result of monks’ travels to France and their desire to incorporate the latest ecclesiastical styles.A Jigsaw Puzzle with a Twist
The loss of labeling information during the hay-burning quarantine in New York meant that the reassembly in Miami was not always precise. Some stones may be out of their original order.A Spiritual Oasis
Despite its location near a busy highway, visitors often describe the monastery as an oasis of calm and serenity-a place where the 21st century feels a world away.
The Ancient Spanish Monastery is more than just a building-it’s a living bridge between continents and cultures. Its stones have witnessed the prayers of medieval monks, the turmoil of revolution, the ambitions of American tycoons, and the joyful celebrations of modern modern times.
Whether you come for the history, the architecture, the gardens, or the sense of peace, you’ll find yourself transported-not just to another place, but to another time. As you wander its cloisters, pause to imagine the stories these ancient walls could tell, and know that you are part of a continuing legacy that spans the globe!
Thank you for reading Beyond the Cosmic Veil
Click this link for Free HD Art Wallpapers (where it says -Name a fair price - Just enter $0)