INTRODUCTION
The Monastery of Ferreira de Pantón is an exceptional historical and architectural ensemble. It has the peculiarity of being the only monastery in Galicia that preserves its monastic function, almost from its foundation to the present day.
HISTORY
Although the legend traces its foundation back to Charlemagne, the mentioning of Ecclesia of Santa Maria di Vezzolano dates back to a document dated from 1095. It is the investiture of Teodulo and Egidio, with the commitment to stick to some shared precepts and to live according to the official rule, probably that of Saint Augustine, later attested in Vezzolano by papal bulls of 1176 and 1182.
ARCHITECTURE AND FURNITURE
This architectural ensemble was erected in various stages: the Romanesque church dates back to the 12th century; the cloister dates back to the 15th century and the other spaces were built in the 18th century. The church is situated forming an angle with the façade of the monastery. It has a rectangular floor plan with a single, extremely sober nave that contrast with the apse, semicircular and profusely decorated; this difference is due to the fact that the head was built before the monastery was transferred to the Cistercian Order. Outside the apse, there is a varied collection of corbels with interesting iconography. We emphasize on the north side, those dedicated to minstrelsy with representation of the troubadour, the minstrel and the “soldadeira”. They are placed into a hierarchy and the minstrel lost his head, since these images used to be mutilated due to the indecent and immoral fact of acting for money. In the south wall, we must highlight the basilisk, a hybrid animal Saint Bernard used to say anyone can die just by looking at. The facade of the monastery is baroque of the 18th century, in a plain style as the guidelines of the Cistercian order. The cloister is Renaissance of the 16th century, with the first section made in stone and the second one in wood.
Inside, it is remarkable the reinforcement of the dome at the front with two nerves also serves as a decorative element. There is a variety of elaborate capitals decorated with vegetal and animal motifs. On the left, we can first see a capital in which two anointed oxen are protected by two griffins, that is, animals that are taken from Eastern mythology with the body of a lion and Eagle’s head. Some authors say the dual nature of Christ is represented, the human nature in the oxen and the divine one in the griffins. Then, there is a capital with an acanthus leaf where a lion cub is seen. On the right, we see first of all a capital which represents Samson dominating two lions. Then, a character who has wings with two humiliated lions at his feet, which is interpreted by some authors as Daniel in the den of lions. On both sides of the straight section of the apse, two tombs of Gothic type can be seen. During works executed in 1975 an image of a Virgin sitting with baby Jesus on her lap was found.
OPENING HOURS
Every day
10.30 am – 1:00 pm
4.00 pm – 6:00 pm
CONTACT
Object:
A Vila do Mato
27438 Ferreira de Pantón
Lugo, Galicia, Spain
Institution:
DIPUTACIÓN PROVINCIAL DE LUGO
Servicio de Turismo
San Marcos, 8
27001 Lugo
Galicia, Spain
Phone: +34 982 260 120
Email: turismo@deputacionlugo.org
ENTRANCE FEES & GUIDED TOURS
-Free entry-
Romanesque routes offered by local guides are regularly available each Easter and summer and also on request:
Máis que románico
Email: info@maisqueromanicorutas.com
Phone: +34 646 533 229
Updated information about guided visits in 2020 on this website:
https://turismo.ribeirasacra.org/en/news/romanesque-routes-2020
TOURIST INFORMATION OFFICE
Praza do Concello, s/n
27430 Pantón
Lugo, Galicia, Spain
Phone: +34982456377 / +34982456279
Email: turismopanton@hotmail.com
RIBEIRA SACRA CONSORCIO DE TURISMO
Estrada de Viñoás, 3
32160 Nogueira de Ramuín
Ourense, Galicia, Spain
Phone: +34 638823592
Email: turismo@ribeirasacra.org