Monastery of Leyre

Porta Speciosa with a depiction of Nunio and Alodio, whose relics were once revered there (11th century).

Crypt. 11th century.

Monastery of San Salvador of Leyre

Monastery of San Salvador of Leyre

Monastery of San Salvador of Leyre

The Monastery of San Salvador of Leyre is a religious complex at the south of the Sierra of Leyre, in northern Navarre, Spain, standing out as one of the most important historical monasteries of Spain. The oldest records of the site date from 842, when Íñigo Arista, held as first king of Pamplona, and Wilesindo, Bishop of Pamplona, made a donation for the monastery. The monastery grew thereafter a major reference, coming to gather numerous properties and wealth in the first stage and middle stage of the Kingdom of Navarre thanks to the privileges and donations bestowed on them by the Navarrese kings, with the monastery reaching its zenith in the 12th century. Several kings of Navarre were buried there.

Since then it has been in various states of repair, undergoing many expansions and remodellations (the deepest one made in the 16th century, when almost the totality of the monastery was rebuilt). Romanesque architecture pieces have survived until the present day (such as the church, with its Porta Speciosa), as well as even more ancient parts like the notable crypt.

The monastery is located on one of the variant routes of the Way of Saint James coming from the Corridor of Berdún and Jaca. The name caught on as a female name under the form Leire, especially popular across the Basque Country.

Coordinates: 42°38′07″N 1°10′18″W / 42.63528°N 1.17167°W / 42.63528; -1.17167