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Frequently mentioned in reviews: wedding (17) monastery (16) beautiful (14) visit (14) history (14) Monastery (8) Miami (8) Spain (8) worth (8) ceremony (8)
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  • 5/5 Antonio Perez C. 1 year ago on Google
    The Ancient Spanish Monastery is one of the most beautiful and sacred places to visit in Miami! This temple was originally built between 1133 AD and 1141, near Segovia un Spain; yes you are reading correctly 🤯 This Monastery was purchased, dismantled and brought it to America piece by piece. It was stored in a warehouse in New York for 26 years and on 1952 was re-purchased and finally assembled again! This is an architectural master piece, and if you like history; this is a perfect place to visit, enjoy and learn. The temple and entire place can be rented for photoshoots, videos and even wedding. If you have the chance, visit this place because it will not disappoint you, it’s a great experience 👍
    9 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Melinda R. 8 months ago on Google • 29 reviews
    Nice place to glimpse a bit of history and nature. The exhibits and building are beautiful and the walk through can be fast or you can take your time and enjoy the scenery. Definitely worth a stop if you're in Miami looking for quick places to visit.
    5 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Estefania M. 1 year ago on Google
    Just got married to my now husband there this past weekend. The Ancient Monastery was a dream come true for my husband and I. Father Gregory was attentive, incredibly kind and has wonderful witty humor that made our wedding day truly special. The ceremony was in Spanish (can also do it in English) and he made sure to include every detail. The venue is magical and it’s European history completely breath taking. The musical director Frank Perco III was also great! He played the piano live during ceremony and cocktail reception which simply made the ambiance complete. Unfortunately I can’t say the same about the wedding coordinator, she never answered my calls and we received very poor treatment even on our wedding day for no reason after discussing everything multiple times in person during two walk throughs and several calls. I suggest getting a wedding planner for day of so that the bride and groom do not have to deal with all the last minute details and the wedding coordinator. Other than that everything was all we hoped it would be. Also MOLMAR EVENT RENTAL is a must! The professionalism was elite! Ask for Luis and Aura!
    5 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 3/5 Jenny J. 1 year ago on Google
    $10 entrance fee, but for military personnel it’s free. It is delightful to see the reconstructed pieces of monastery. It’s rather small. Will take less than 1 hour to see the whole place. We wanted to sit at the church but it was closed due to a christening. I don’t think I will come back, but for one time visit it’s recommendable.
    5 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Eric 2 months ago on Google • 882 reviews New
    Interested 1200's cloisters imported in the early 1900's, good condition, rather unique for this area. Worth the $10 and 30 minutes

  • 5/5 Kanwal C. 2 years ago on Google
    Oldest church in Florida built in 1043 AD. Links to Sacramenio, Spain, where the remaining portions of thr monastery was sent. Great place for weddings and receptions. Chapel, L-shaped outdoor dining area. Awesome garden area for outdoor events
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 3/5 Gina Marie A. 2 years ago on Google
    It was lovely and worth seeing. I'm not sure it was worth the price of admission, so plan to think of it as a contribution to the church, which is a-ok. I had never been to a monastery so was looking forward to learning about monks and their way of life, etc. I feel that more could/should be done to educate visitors about monks who resided I this monastery - in addition to the pamphlet and tv you are directed to at the front door. This is strictly a self-tour and a pamphlet deal. There were several lovely young ladies on the grounds wearing extremely fancy gowns and having professional photos taken. They were in areas we would have liked to explore and I'm sure we were in their way as well. Maybe the photo shoots should be scheduled during non self-tour hours and then everyone would be happier with their experience there
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Andrea S. 9 months ago on Google
    This place is great for content creation! It is beautiful inside and very well taken care of!!✨ do yourself a favor and come here. Bring a lot of cold water because it’s gets extremely hot, especially now in the summer in Miami! Pictures will look incredible!!! 10/10
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Joel F. 1 year ago on Google
    History buffs will love this place. It’s a hidden gem in the heart of North Miami Beach — dating back to 1141 AD! The story behind it is fascinating as it originally was built in northern Spain and then occupied by monks for many centuries until it was sold and shipped to the US in 1920s.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Anitha 1 year ago on Google
    Gorgeous grounds to tour, meditate and pray. We loved the calm and peacefulness. There was a wedding photoshoot happening, and that was cool to see. Don't miss out on this little gem in Miami!
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Jim C. 4 months ago on Google • 10 reviews
    My husband and I had a small civil ceremony a couple of years ago, but we unable to have a church wedding/blessing because of the pandemic. This summer we checked out the Ancient Spanish Monastery in North Miami Beach. We loved it. Our initial meeting was with Carolina, the wedding coordinator; she gently and lovingly helped us navigate the logistics and plan the event. Meeting with Father Greg was a great treat; he explained just how the wedding would go, and offered us several options for the ceremony. He made the ceremony delightfully personal; he is the perfect officiant. The parish hall was the perfect venue for a dinner afterward. Again, Carolina assisted from the beginning all the way through to the end. We will never forget our glorious night. We agree that now we really FEEL LIKE we are married. And we could not be happier. The team of Carolina and Father Greg is flawless and when coupled with the Ancient Spanish Monastery, is priceless.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Mitchell H. 8 months ago on Google
    I love the Ancient Spanish Monastery. It’s so beautiful and peaceful. And, it’s the oldest building in the Americas.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Robert M. 2 years ago on Google
    This is a very interesting place and worth the visit! Not certain if there is an entrance fee as we went during Museum Day at no charge. Fantastic staff with interesting and pertinent stories. Spend time on the chapel and listen to the priest play the organ, superb!
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 alina p. 1 year ago on Google
    Beautiful place! It’s the peace that you feel here for me. Personally I’m a tree lover and I was in heaven! No pun intended. Stepped in for a brief moment during mass and it took me back to when I used to attend mass elsewhere. It’s definitely magical and serene.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Jenni Sosnow R. 1 month ago on Google • 118 reviews New
    This is a beautiful spot to visit in the area. Admission is reasonable and staff was very friendly. The grounds are stunning. It is the oldest building in the western hemisphere! If you’re a history buff you will enjoy the history of the monastery. Originally constructed in Spain and then seized after a social revolution. Almost 100 years later it was sold and brought to the United States by Randolph Hearst. Unfortunately foot and mouth disease was present so the US department of agriculture wouldn’t allow the crates to be unpacked. Hearst had financial trouble causing the crates to be sold in an auction. 19 months and $20 million dollars later the monastery was put back together. Times Magazine called it the biggest jigsaw puzzle in history! If only walls could talk. Definitely recommend visiting at least once!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Carolina Guzik (. 1 year ago on Google
    As a wedding photographer I have had the pleasure to photograph several weddings here (I myself, got married at this venue <3) and the monastery is amazing! The gardens are lovely, the courtyard is so romantic and the place is very private - perfect for couples that want and intimate ceremony.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Виктория �. 1 year ago on Google
    This is a wonderful place where I received peace. I would like to know more about the activities that take place on the territory of the monastery. Thank you for such a corner of grace.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Vilma D. 2 years ago on Google
    We just attended a beautiful wedding ceremony in this special, sacred and historic monastery.We couldn’t be happier ,more relaxed and uplifted this beautiful Saturday morning .Father Gregory gave beautiful and sentimental blessing and Carolina was there for us in every step,making sure we had a special day going smoothly. I don’t think there is a better place for ‘tightening the knots’ in all Miami area. Combination of history,liturgy ,architecture ,art and beautiful kept grounds makes it perfect place for special occasions. Sincerely thankful to all staff for beautiful day !
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Ashley R. 10 months ago on Google
    Beautiful architecture definitely worth a trip if you want to take pictures! There were also lots of sweet cats roaming around and most of them liked pets.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 May C. 1 year ago on Google
    Absolutely stunning and beautiful place! You can feel the warmth and serenity when you’re here. The weather today is perfect to visit too!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Madavi Nathan O. 1 month ago on Google • 4 reviews New
    I visited with my friends and we enjoyed the history behind this Monastery which was dismantled in Spain and brought to “US” ! A journey through time - 1141 AD to 1950s. Beautiful gardens. Check out the huge banyan tree and don’t miss a lovely Labyrinth nestled in the back
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Joseph S. 3 months ago on Google • 107 reviews New
    Awesome visit, it's small enough to be doable in an hour but charming and just really cool from a historic perspective, also I was lucky enough to be the first one to check out the new labyrinth they're working on and it's coming out great!

  • 5/5 T. M. 6 months ago on Google • 59 reviews
    Beautiful location! We did our child's baptism here! Highly recommend

  • 5/5 Michelle L. 2 months ago on Google • 18 reviews New
    Gorgeous! A must visit. This is my sanctuary ❤️and the home of Music at The Monastery! Check them out through instagram or eventbrite!

  • 4/5 greg p. 1 month ago on Google • 14 reviews New
    Cool place. Nominal cost to get in. Lots of history (originally built in the 1100s)

  • 5/5 Krɛɛp �. 1 month ago on Google • 10 reviews New
    Nice monastery. Very pretty. Very chill. Lots of cats. Lady in reception was very nice. The building is not very large, but lots of grass. Could spend 30-60 minutes here, probably not more unless you bring an activity. Would recommend to visit at least once if you like history.

  • 5/5 Marissa B. 1 month ago on Google • 8 reviews New
    Out of this world WEDDING! Father Gregory is INCREDIBLE! He was always radiant and in high spirit throughout the journey to get my daughter married. The day of the wedding he really went above any of my expectations, he had personalized the ceremony, made beautiful choices to make it even more special. We just got some sneak peak of the pictures and my daughter was overwhelmed with joy! Gorgeous grounds, spectacular arquitectural structure, gorgeous bridal suite, we love cats and animals and the monastery is a sanctuary for them. Father Gregory got many compliments from our family, stating that it was best wedding ever. And it was!!! MIRNA CURRAS from Art Flowers & Events took care of the cocktail, catering, flowers and decor and the court yard was exquisite, food was delicious, she even prepared a champagne tower, the ambiance was breathtaking and exquisite! A big thanks to Carolina that helped make everything possible. We just can't stop looking over the photographs over and over again, reliving every moment again.

  • 5/5 Giselle J. 2 years ago on Google
    So beautiful and taken care of. Great place for pictures

  • 5/5 Baltazar Lopez J. 2 years ago on Google
    Excellent place to visit for cultural purposes... It's in the hands of the Episcopalian Church.

  • 5/5 Ángel Samuel P. 2 years ago on Google
    simply awesome .is like regreat to the last century.

  • 5/5 Corey D. 4 months ago on Google
    Great place to see. Great place to have a wedding especially. Love the cats

  • 5/5 Nubian L. 7 months ago on Google
    Zen space during the cool season. I never knew they had such a space in SoFLo. I’ll go back with a book. Bring food for the strays and femoral cats 🐈‍⬛ on the premise. They don’t bother you though.

  • 5/5 J 9 months ago on Google
    Historical and present Headquarters for the Knights Templar Grand Priory of the United States. Beautiful place rich in history and easy access.

  • 4/5 Chuck C. 8 months ago on Google
    Beautiful re- creation of this 12 th century monastery of St. Bernard De Clairvaux, 12th century ,Segovia, Spain,with nicely laid gardens

  • 5/5 Chrissy P. 2 years ago on Google
    Absolutely stunning. Perfect setting for any life event. The grounds are beautifully kept. Just had my daughter's sweet 15 pictures there. Very easy to see n book. The fee is very reasonable and importantly a changing room is included. Perfect !!!

  • 5/5 A Guy from E. 3 years ago on Google
    Lovely place. Outdoor scenery and history. A nice place to spend a morning or afternoon.

  • 4/5 Lil' E B. 2 years ago on Google
    Beautiful grounds. I was expecting it to be Catholic. It was quite busy the day I was there with a wedding, a maternity and two quinceanera photo shoots; I was expecting an escape from life's busyness, it was not.

  • 5/5 Mike B. 2 years ago on Google
    Stunningly beautiful monastery. The age and history of this structure is impressive. We spent an hour there marveling at it. The architecture, statutes, and sculptured coat of arms are well worth the $10 admission fee. The surrounding grounds are quite nice. The parking is free and the woman at the front desk was pleasant and knowledgeable. Good spot to hit if you’re in North Miami.

  • 3/5 Kenneth P. 2 years ago on Google
    Was nice enough place to visit and look around. I found it odd that they told us we had to give 1 dollar for each person to feed the stray cats on premise. Then the charge was 10 dollars a person, overpriced in my opinion for what you see. Although they let military in for free with ID. A few of the artifacts inside the main entrance were acquired from the Hearst estate. Seems like a nice place for a wedding. There is a small church on the premise for services. I would like to know if the building on site is 100% original. They say it was brought over from Spain but I am curious how much of it is original.

  • 5/5 Gregory H. 1 year ago on Google
    These relocated parts of a 12th century Spanish monastery are well worth the visit. The restored monastery church that remains near Sacramenia in Spain is, as of 2022, open to the public but very limited hours. It is also worth making the effort to see for anyone who is in the province of Segovia.

  • 5/5 Jeffrey F. 2 years ago on Google
    This place is fantastic! How rich do you have to be to buy and ship an entire medieval Spanish monastery to the US? Very peaceful during the week - it just us, two other small groups, and three quinceañeras (though they were large and had a lot of equipment you have to navigate around!). There's brochures for many languages, a short video explaining the history, and a small museum. Student and military discounts, too.


Call (305) 945-1461 Open on Google Maps

Amenities


  • Accessibility
    • ✓️ Wheelchair accessible entrance
    • ✓️ Wheelchair accessible parking lot

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