Monasterio de las Huelgas

The Monasterio de las Huelgas, in Burgos, Spain, is a medieval Benedictine monastery founded in 1187 by King Alfonso VIII. Its imposing Gothic architecture is set in a serene and tranquil environment, surrounded by lush meadows and vast gardens. Visitors to the monastery can explore the cloister, the cathedral, the museums, and the many 15th-century tombs throughout the complex. Monasterio de las Huelgas is particularly renowned for its awe-inspiring cloister, one of the oldest in Spain, which features impressive 13th-century stained-glass windows from the Iberian Peninsula. The monastery also houses a world-renowned library, as well as a number of medieval churches, chapels and tombs. A must-see on a visit to Monasterio de las Huelgas is the elaborate pantheon, which features 12 marble statues of the most important figures of the Spanish monarchy.