Monastery of Santo Domingo de Silos
Monasterio de Santo Domingo de Silos
The pinnacle of Spanish Romanesque art, famed worldwide for the capital reliefs of its double-storey cloister and its twisted double columns; Benedictine monks' Gregorian chant once topped the pop charts.
The monastery lies about 58 km southeast of Burgos. Its 11th-century Romanesque cloister is remarkably well preserved. Must-sees include eight corner reliefs (such as 'The Road to Emmaus' and 'Doubting Thomas') and the uniquely twisted columns. A tall cypress tree stands in the center of the cloister. Monks still live here, and during Vespers you can hear Gregorian chant in the church. Admission is about 4 euros. The monastery is closed on Mondays and observes a midday break. It can be combined with Covarrubias and the Yecla Gorge as a day trip.
Opening hours
Tue–Sat 10:00–13:00, 16:30–18:00; Sun afternoon (closed Mon)
Nearby sights
- Desfiladero de La Yecla
- Covarrubias
- Visigothic Hermitage of Quintanilla de las Viñas
- Lerma Ducal Palace & Old Town
- Monastery of San Pedro de Cardeña
- Archaeological Site of Atapuerca
- Cartuja de Miraflores
- Museum of Human Evolution