The Monastery of St. Bernard de Clairvaux was built in Sacramenia, in the Province of Segovia, Spain, during the period 1133-1141. It was originally dedicated in honor of the Blessed Mother and named the "Monastery of Our Lady, Queen of the Angels." Upon the canonization of the famous Cistercian Monk, Bernard of Clairvaux, a leading influence in the Church during that period, the Monastery was renamed in his honor.
In 1925, William Randolph Hearst purchased the Cloisters and the Spanish Monastery's outbuildings. The structures were dismantled stone by stone and shipped to the United States. The stones were placed in a warehouse in Brooklyn, New York, for 26 years. In 1952, they were purchased by Messrs. W. Edgemon and R. Moss to create a tourist attraction, and the Spanish Monastery became a landmark in Florida history.
In 1964, Bishop Henry Louttit purchased the property for the Diocese of South Florida, later to become the Dioceses of Central, Southeast and Southwest Florida. Shortly thereafter, when the three dioceses ran into financial difficulties, the Spanish Monastery was put up for sale and the parishioners of St. Bernard feared a second move. During the Bishopric of the Rt. Rev. James Duncan, Col. Robert Pentland, JR, a multimillionaire banker, philanthropist and benefactor of many Episcopal churches, purchased the Cloisters and presented them to the Parish of St. Bernard de Clairvaux. This ensures the Spanish Monastery can remain a fascinating monument to faith as well as a landmark in Florida history.
The Monastery of St. Bernard de Clairvaux is now open to the public. We welcome you and your family to explore this piece of European history and Florida history. Open Monday-Saturday 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Sunday 1:30-5 p.m. Adults $5, children (under 12) $2, seniors (55 and older) $2.50, students with valid I.D. $2.50.
