Monesterio de Santa Maria la Real de Iranzu

This monestery was founded in the early 12th century by the Benedictines, taken over by the Cistercians in 1176, nationalized and disbanded by the state in the 19th century, and finally rebuilt and given to the Theatine order in the 20th century.

The monastic community has shrunk to two monks, Padre Jesus and Padre Ramón. They no longer farm the monestery land, except for the kitchen garden, but survive by renting out the fields to farmers, and the unused wings of cells to guests.

We arrived on Sunday afternoon and immediately settled into rehearsals. On Friday, St. James' Day, we sang for the afternoon mass. Then on Sunday evening we bused into Estella, the nearest town of any size, and sang our initial concert at the Iglesia San Pedro.