Did you know there’s an ancient Spanish Monastery in Miami, Florida that dates back to 1133 AD?
Photo of Ancient Spanish Monastery, Miami Florida © leoncillo sabino
The Ancient Spanish Monastery in Miami is an incredible building to see in the United States. It is the oldest building in the Western Hemisphere and one of the most important monasteries in the US.
It’s place in the United States is an interesting story.
The monastery was actually built in Northern Spain. Construction began in 1133 and was completed in 1141. It was purchased by William Randolph Hearst, an American newspaper publisher, taken apart brick by brick in crates and shipped to the US. Before the crates could be unpacked, financial issues forced Heart to sell them.
Photo of Ancient Spanish Monastery, Miami Florida © Brett Levin Photography
In 1952, the bricks of the monastery were purchased and put back together again in Miami, Florida.
You can see old photos of the monastery being uncrated and rebuild here.
Today, the monastery, named the Church of St. Bernard de Clairvaux, is an active Episcopal church and tourist attraction.
You can take a tour of the monastery and wander around the beautiful gardens. For more information about visiting, visit their website.
Read what people are saying about the Ancient Spanish Monastery on Yelp.com.
