Monasterio de San Juan de la Peña

Carretera, A-1603 s/n 22711, Jaca
The Aragón Pyrenees
Aragón
Spain

Type: Historical Interest
Hours: 16 Mar-31 May-10 am-2 pm, 4-7 pm 1-30 June-10 am-2.3 pm, 4-8 pm 1 July to 31 Aug-10 am to 2.30 pm, 3.30-8 pm 1 Sept to 15 Oct-10 am to 2 pm 4 to 7 pm 16-30 Oct 10 am to 2 pm, 4 to 5.30 pm 1 Nov to 15 Mar 11 am to 2 pm, 4-5.30 pm Closed 1 Jan to 25 Dec.

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While Jaca was the first capital of the Kingdom of Aragón, the Monasterio de San Juan de la Peña, left, in a high mountain pass 23 km (14.3 miles) away, is recognized as the true religious and administrative cradle of the kingdom. Sandwiched in a cave beneath a natural rock eve, the Monasterio Viejo (old monastery) was founded by hermits sometime during the ninth century. As pilgrims began to shuffle past it on the Aragón trail to Santiago de Compostela, the site acquired greater significance and a Romanesque church was built in the 11th century above the original monastery and church. The old monastery preserves the tombs of the earliest kings of Aragón–Ramiro I, Sancho Ramírez and Pedro I–as well as a replica of the Holy Grail. Along with the legend that the monastery was founded after a hunter had fallen off a cliff only to land at the mouth of the cave in perfect health, it is reputed that the original Holy Grail was once sheltered here. After a fire, a newer monastery was built up the road from the original, but it has since been closed down due to poor management and bad political choices. The walk up is not wasted, however, as the visitors’ center is located next to it along with a mirador with splendid mountain views. Getting to the monastery takes a concerted effort if you don’t have a car. The easiest option outside of catching a taxi and forking over 15-20 Euro each way is to catch the bus from Jaca in the Plaza de Biscos that is headed to Pamplona and mention to the bus driver that you need to get off in the village of Santa Cruz de la Seros. From this village the monastery is still a trek of 1½ hours uphill to the Sierra de la Peña. Try hitchhiking or follow the GR 65.3.12 trail (identified with white and red stripes) to the top. The monastery is generally open Tues.-Sun. 10 am-2 pm and 4-8 pm.