Colexio da Nosa Señora da Antiga
Renaissance college in Monforte de Lemos, known as the “Galician Escorial”, with guided visits to the church, the cloister, the staircase and the picture gallery.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
Cardinal Rodrigo de Castro Osorio, Archbishop of Seville and son of the counts of Lemos, conceived around 1590 a “little Escorial” in Monforte de Lemos that would serve as a cultural centre for Galicia, a family pantheon and an art museum. Work on the college began in 1593, but the cardinal died in 1600 without seeing the building finished; he is buried in the church, under a bronze praying statue by Juan de Bolonia. The works continued until 1913.
The college was first in the hands of the Jesuits and, after their expulsion, came under the patronage of the House of Alba. Since 1873 it has been run by the Piarist Fathers (Padres Escolapios), who continue to use it as a teaching centre. The building, in the Herrerian style, is notable for its church of Jesuit inspiration, the walnut altarpiece by Francisco de Moure and his son, the monumental staircase, carved with steps of a single piece of granite, and a cloister of the Doric order.
In the former sacristy, dated 1699, there is a picture gallery with the collection the cardinal assembled. It includes works attributed to El Greco, paintings by Andrea del Sarto, works of the Compostela school and a portrait of the founder, as well as old books and manuscripts. Today only the monumental area is visited, always with a guide.
Highlights
- Herrerian building known as the “Galician Escorial”
- Picture gallery in the former sacristy, with works attributed to El Greco and paintings by Andrea del Sarto
- Monumental staircase with steps of a single piece of granite
- Walnut altarpiece by Francisco de Moure and the cardinal's praying statue by Juan de Bolonia
- Doric cloister
Permanent exhibition
- Pinacoteca – Museum in the former sacristy of the college, with paintings from the collection of Cardinal Rodrigo de Castro (among them works attributed to El Greco and paintings by Andrea del Sarto), old books and manuscripts.
- Founded
- 1590
- Operated by
- Fundación Colegio Nosa Señora da Antiga (Padres Escolapios)
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €5 |
|---|
Admission of €5 per person, according to the tourism portal of the Ribeira Sacra.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible: no information
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
The college's tourist sheet shows accessibility pictograms, but the college's website gives no details.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Amenities & dining
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | Guided tours are given by guides from the Monforte tourist office. No booking is needed: simply turn up at the door a few minutes before the time. For large groups or other enquiries, you can write to visitasescolapios@gmail.com or call 667 925 072. As the college is still in operation, only the monumental area is visited: façade, staircase entrance, cloister, church and picture gallery. There is a virtual tour on the Turismo de Galicia website. |
