San Antolín de Bedón Monastery
Explore the atmospheric ruins of a 12th-century Benedictine monastery, dramatically set against the Asturian coast.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
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Best Time
Best for exploring ruins
San Antolín de Bedón Monastery
Best Time
Best for exploring ruins
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Explore the atmospheric ruins of a 12th-century Benedictine monastery, dramatically set against the Asturian coast.
"A beautiful, albeit ruined, monastery by the sea, a poignant glimpse into history."
Be prepared for ruins
The monastery is in a state of ruin and often padlocked. Expect to explore rather than tour.
Respect private property
Access can be restricted. Be mindful of signage and any fenced-off areas.
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Ruined Benedictine Monastery
Llanes, Asturias
Explore the evocative ruins of a medieval Benedictine monastery, a poignant glimpse into history by the sea.
Coastal Location
Adjacent to San Antolín Beach
Discover this historic site dramatically situated next to a beautiful beach and the Bedón River estuary.
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Architectural Transition
Church structure
Observe the transition between Romanesque and Gothic styles in the church, a testament to its medieval origins.
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Planning Your Visit
Access & Condition
Preservation Concerns
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Be prepared for ruins
The monastery is in a state of ruin and often padlocked. Expect to explore rather than tour.
Respect private property
Access can be restricted. Be mindful of signage and any fenced-off areas.
Combine with beach visit
Located right by San Antolín beach, perfect for a combined historical and coastal experience.
Check local events
Occasionally hosts cultural events, offering a unique way to experience the site.
Tips
from all over the internet
Be prepared for ruins
The monastery is in a state of ruin and often padlocked. Expect to explore rather than tour.
Respect private property
Access can be restricted. Be mindful of signage and any fenced-off areas.
Combine with beach visit
Located right by San Antolín beach, perfect for a combined historical and coastal experience.
Check local events
Occasionally hosts cultural events, offering a unique way to experience the site.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors find the San Antolín de Bedón Monastery to be a site of poignant beauty, largely due to its dramatic coastal location and evocative ruins. However, many express disappointment over its state of disrepair and limited accessibility, with the monastery often padlocked and difficult to enter officially. +1
"It was pretty spartan conditions. There was pretty cold in there. I guess I cant blame thick stone walls. It had really hot shower though. In the end I did not mind It was colder given it is March."
Michal Snajdr
"Monasteries in a poor state of preservation. The church, as well as the entrance, is closed, so visits are not entirely suitable or permitted. The portico has been restored, and all the adjoining buildings are in a state of ruin, although their architectural value is not very high, as most were renovated in modern times. It's a shame because the site and the monastery are beautiful."
Borja Buela Fernandez
"It's closed to the public, so it can't be visited as such. If you like ruins like we do, it's interesting, but if you're hoping to see a church in good condition, it's not for you."
Bozhena Mykhalchuk
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
The monastery is located near Llanes in Asturias, Spain. It's best accessed by car, with parking available near San Antolín beach. From the beach, you can walk to the monastery site.
Public transport options directly to the monastery are limited. You would likely need to take a bus to Llanes and then arrange local transport or a taxi to the vicinity of San Antolín beach.
Many visitors approach from San Antolín beach, enjoying the coastal scenery before reaching the ruins. This offers a scenic and accessible route.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
Visiting the monastery can be challenging as it's often padlocked and in a state of ruin. Some visitors report entering through gaps, but official access is limited.
As the monastery is not officially open for regular tours and is in a state of ruin, there is typically no entrance fee. However, access may be restricted.
There are no official opening hours as the site is largely inaccessible and in disrepair. Visitors typically explore the exterior and accessible parts of the ruins.
Formal tours are not available due to the monastery's condition and access issues. Visitors usually explore the ruins independently.
🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience
The monastery is in a significant state of ruin, with only the portico partially restored. The adjoining buildings are dilapidated, though the site retains its historical charm.
You can explore the remnants of the medieval Benedictine monastery, including its church structure which shows a transition between Romanesque and Gothic styles, and its picturesque coastal setting.
Exercise caution when exploring the ruins, as they are in a state of disrepair. Be mindful of uneven ground and potential hazards.
Due to its ruined state, there are no visitor facilities such as restrooms or information centers at the monastery itself.
It was an ancient Benedictine monastery dating back to the 12th century, representing a significant piece of Asturian Romanesque architecture and history.
📸 📸 Photography
Capture the dramatic interplay of the ruins with the sea and beach. The coastal views and the weathered stone structures offer unique photographic opportunities.
Absolutely. The combination of ancient ruins, the rugged coastline, and the nearby beach makes it a prime location for landscape and architectural photography.
Golden hour (sunrise and sunset) can offer beautiful light for photographing the ruins against the coastal backdrop. Midday can be harsh but still offers dramatic contrast.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
History Buffs & Architecture Enthusiasts
The site's historical significance as a Benedictine monastery adds another layer of interest. Be prepared for an exploratory visit, as formal tours are not available and much of the site is in ruins. Reddit discussions often highlight the architectural value despite the decay, with users lamenting the lack of preservation.
+1 This is a destination for those who appreciate the atmosphere of historical sites and are willing to look past the current state of disrepair to connect with the past. Consider bringing a good camera to capture the evocative ruins against the stunning coastal backdrop. +1Photographers
+1 The ruins themselves, with their weathered textures and hints of past grandeur, offer compelling subjects. Aim for the golden hours of sunrise or sunset to capture the ruins bathed in warm, soft light, creating a truly magical scene.
Midday sun can offer stark contrasts, highlighting the textures of the stone. Be mindful of the access limitations and explore respectfully to find unique angles. The site's proximity to San Antolín beach also allows for combining architectural photography with stunning seascape shots. Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
The Monastery's State of Ruin and Access
Despite the challenges, the site's dramatic location next to the sea and the San Antolín beach adds to its allure.
+1 Travelers who appreciate historical ruins and atmospheric locations find value in visiting, even if they cannot access the interior. The experience is often described as one of 'sadness and admiration,' imagining the monastery's past glory. Discussions on Reddit highlight the ongoing bureaucratic conflicts that are believed to be hindering preservation efforts and contributing to the monastery's deterioration.
+1 This situation is a point of frustration for those who recognize the architectural and historical value of San Antolín de Bedón. While some may find the ruins intriguing, others express disappointment that such a historically significant site is not better maintained or accessible to the public. Architectural Significance and History
+1 The church structure, though in ruins, still showcases the architectural transition characteristic of the era, making it of interest to history and architecture enthusiasts. Its location is particularly noteworthy, situated dramatically by the sea, adjacent to the San Antolín beach and the mouth of the Bedón River.
+1 This picturesque setting enhances the historical atmosphere of the ruins. While the monastery itself is in disrepair, its historical context as a Benedictine foundation and its architectural style are key to understanding the region's medieval past. Despite its historical importance, the monastery's current state of ruin and limited accessibility mean that its architectural details are best appreciated by those willing to explore and imagine its former grandeur.
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from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit