Monasterio de Yuste (Yuste Monastery)

Monasterio de Yuste (Yuste Monastery) Review

In the heart of La Vera, a region of steep ravines (gargantas), rushing rivers, and villages (including the town of Jaraíz de la Vera), lies the Monasterio de San Jerónimo de Yuste, founded by Hieronymite monks in the early 15th century. Badly damaged in the Peninsular War, it was left to decay after the suppression of Spain's monasteries in 1835, but it has since been restored and taken over once more by the Hieronymites. Today it's one of the most impressive monasteries in all of Spain. Carlos V (1500-58), founder of Spain's vast 16th-century empire, spent his last two years in the Royal Chambers, enabling the emperor to attend Mass within a short stumble of his bed. The guided tour also covers the church, the crypt where Carlos V was buried before being moved to El Escorial (near Madrid), and a glimpse of the monastery's cloisters.