A visit to these Monasteries is like a trip back in time joining the Benedictine communities that were dedicated to toil and prayer under the ora et labora vows.
1. Monastery of Santa María de la Oliva. This monastery is located in Carcastillo, it dates from the 12 th century and it is one of finest medieval architectural monuments in the province of Navarra . The visitor can go back in time to the Middle Ages and imagine knights and ladies, nobles and villains. the monks that now occupy the monastery are skilled wine-makers of Denominación de Origen Navarra wines and a liqueur that is highly valued by experts.
2. Monastery of Santa María la Real in Fitero. This is the first Cistercian commune that was built in the Iberian Peninsula in 1140 by Saint Raimundo of Fitero, the founder of the military order of Calatrava. This monastery was declared a national monument in 1931 and it is an architectural wonder of the Middle Ages, although it has been extended over time, including splendid Renaissance cloisters. The sacristy is well worth a visit, with its Lignum Crucis .
3. Monastery of Santa María de la Caridad in Tulebras. This is the first feminine Cistercian foundation in the Spanish kingdoms and it was set up in the town of Tulebras in 1157 after being moved from Tudela. Currently, a Benedictine community inhabits the monastery. The most striking feature here is the image of the Virgen sedente con el Niño from the 14 th century.
