The Ancient Spanish Monastery Reviews

We were visiting Miami from Michigan for a football game. We had an alumni event at the Spanish Monastery. The grounds are beautiful. I wish we could have had a walking tour with the history of the palace. We enjoyed walking around and the event was a lot did fun.

I thought that this place was beautiful, the landscaping was gorgeous. Rather small attraction, but very neat architecture and history. You probably only need about an hour to tour here, unless you spend a lot of time photographing, etc (then maybe 1-2 hours).

Worth a stop if you pass by North Miami. 3 reasons:

1- you will learn interesting facts about history and monastic life
2- it is tough to believe that they moved the monastery block by block from Spain to Florida. Yes, they did. A couple of columns are reproductions since hollow, but they have really moved that rock monument over seas. I was impressed. The chapel is really rich in historical details.
3- this is really not an expensive visit.

So, worth the stop. You will find it instructive. Enjoy!

Check out the other 1 star reviews before you visit.

The website or the google hours does not state you should call ahead if you want to visit as the whole place might be closed when you get there due to a wedding or some event. Not a very pleasant experience especially if you drove 3+ hours.

I wish the google hours would state call ahead or something like that.

The rude person in the front desk mentioned in the other reviews here is also managing the google reviews as the person who responded to me aptly fit that crass description. Very unfortunate to have that type of staff at a church SMH.

This place has left such a bad taste in my mouth I’ve crossed it off my list to visit. I’ll just wait till my Italy and Barcelona trip to see the real deal. I’m sure to get my taste for some amazing churches then.

What a beautiful place! First, the history. Wow! Something ancient in the middle of a modern city. To think it was brought over stone by stone from Italy to Miami. Second, the peaceful solitude. We were the only people on the grounds when we visited. It is so quiet that you forget you are in the middle of a busy city. We took our time admiring the gardens and the buildings. It is a bit pricey at $10 per person, so I recommend going on a Sunday morning and attending Mass. It's part of the Episcopal church, and they celebrate Mass every Sunday.

Nice thing to do during a hot afternoon. We were lucky as there wasn’t much going on hence very quiet. Sounds like this is a popular spot for photo shoots and celebrations. The tour is interesting. This monastery was originally in Spain and brought here.

A friendly docent told us about the history of the structure when it was in Europe and how it got the U.S. Originally intended to be reassembled in California the story of how it ended up in Florida is very interesting too. The grounds are very relaxing and very nicely designed and maintained. The architecture is wonderful too.

I went to the Spanish Monastery and was quite impressed with the artifacts they had in the “lobby” area, as well as the history of the monastery being a direct transplant from Spain (it was bought by someone wealthy, shipped to the US, and changed hands about 2-3 times before ultimately being restored in Miami).

The history surrounding the Monastery itself is quite interesting so I would recommend watching the little intro to the Monastery video playing on the tv. I believe that the cost of entry is $10, but if you a bring a student ID (as I and my friend did) you get 50% off— which comes out to $5 or $10 for two people!

The Monastery is not huge by any means, and you would probably spend about 30 minutes here (or longer if you’re interested in taking photos). And it is used for Church services on Sunday I believe. Overall, it is worth the visit if you’re into history and architecture— or looking for a nice stroll date.

Surprising peaceful spot in the middle of high rise condos. Beautiful and amazing story of how this ancient monastery got to south Florida.

It is a small monastery, actually not even the whole one, but a partial reconstruction, it has nice gardens, but if you try to take pictures you simply cannot. You will have to pay 200USD unless you use your cellphone.... I think that is simply excessive. There have been some artists who have used the monastery to record some videos. But let's be realistic, there are some shots that would be interesting. However even if you pay 200USD you cannot take pictures inside the chapel. I have visited several places all over the world and I am very upset with this high fee for photos.

I found this monastery on trip advisor and had to see it for myself. I was truly amazed with the structure and its beautiful gardens. As you walk the cloisters you are taken back in time to the days when the monks walked them. The arch design is truly amazing an to see the actual coat of arms in stone on the walls was interesting. As you enter the visitors entrance there you will find many articles used by the monks and people at that time period. There is also a collection of armor worn be the Knights during the Crusades. A large hand carved wooden cabinet used by Pope Urban VII (1644-52) is also on display. Take a few minutes from the area hustle and bustle of Miami and visit this site and sit in the chapel and reflect. Episcopal services are held here on Sunday's and musical programs during the year. How beautiful are the grounds and buildings, well beautiful enough to have had movies filmed and weddings performed.

Taken apart piece by piece and moved to So FLA. Who knew? But it's still used and fun to tour.

Don’t miss this. Not too easy to find, gps was challenged. But what a beautiful place, Art, history all in one. Beautiful grounds to walk as well.

When you are worn out from the bustle of Miami, then head to The Ancient Spanish Monastery for a relaxing walk through the grounds, especially the labyrinth. I’ve been to Segovia three times and this was a magic moment in my Miami vaca: time travel back to the 12th Century, reminiscing Spanish travels, dreaming of the Segovia aqueduct and castle, hugging giant banyan trees, and a spiritual walk thru the labyrinth. Thank you William Hearst!

What more can be said that hasn't been written about this wonderful building. Wandering thru the corridors gives you a feel of its age and purpose. Brought over brick by brick was phenomenal enough, to be rebuild on this site quite a mistery.
A short walk south and you can enjoy a great lunch at Laurenzo's Italian restaurant and market. Welcome to North Miami Beach

Seriously, call them before you come. Call them back when they don't pick up. Leave voicemails. Consider sky-writing. Whatever it takes.

I myself gave up after a few business-hour calls that went unanswered. Do you see where this is going? Yep - I eventually thought, it's the Friday after Christmas at 10am, I should probably be okay. I got there and found it wasn't, nor would it be okay until Monday, when I would no longer be in town (well, there could be Sunday services, but I had a conflict). I just looked from the beyond the gate and briefly cursed the institution of marriage, or at least until I remembered that I was married myself.

Considering this was truly about the only attraction in Miami that looked to be my style, I was pretty crushed but oh well. It could have been worse - imagine if I'd just driven to this place's original site in Spain to get a good look.

For me it was religious, but spiritual place to be. There is so many things to make your eyes and soul joyful. Beautiful park surrounds the monastery itself and inside the building, you can meet some ghosts, I think.

The monastery is small and simple in comparison with those you would find in Spain or Europe for that matter but, let’s remember that here in the US and especially in Florida it is difficult to find places that are as monumental, impressive and rich in architectural details like in the European countries. The monastery is still very nice, it could probably use some fixing and maintenance but it is pretty and something different to see. For those who love history, enjoy gardens, architecture, and photography a visit to the Spanish Monastery will turn out to be a pleasant one.

Who would have thought there are buildings this old in Miami. William Randolph Hearst had these cloisters, monastery, and outbuildiings completed in 1141 A.D. in northern Spain shipped to the US in the 1920s but the stones remained in their crates until the 1950s when two enterpreneurs had the buildings reconstructed. In the 1960s a philanthropist gifted the property to the Bishop of Florida and it now serves as a tourist attraction (fees apply) as well as an episcopalian church (Sunday services in English and Spanish). Beautiful and serene, with its own Spanish garden.

I visited this wonderful site with 30 or so other folks. We loved walking around and feeling the positive vibes. Can't wait to return and possibly plan my wedding here.

I went to wedding here and it was the most romantic and beautiful wedding I've ever been to. It's a great place to discover, so much beauty to look at. The garden, the statues, the walk ways, the history is just amazing here. I loved my visit here.

I have seen the signs pointing to the ancient Spanish monastery so many times, but never bothered to visit before because 1) in my ignorance I thought well it’s probably only 200 years old and 2) I dint like this part of town at all. As it turns out it is indeed an ancient monastery that was bought and brought from Spain stone by stone by an American Tycoon and reassembled here in Miami. The story is probably more fascinating that the monastery it self.

Interesting story about moving entire monastery from Europe to Miami, many artifacts from several Pope's and lovely grounds. Have attended two weddings there, a perfect spot if you're planning a wedding outdoors.

This is a wonder lost in the folliage....Very little shows form the street, but it is a very good example of Monasteries brought back from Europe stone by stone. The gardens and the Monastery are very interesting, and the grounds are often rented for weddings or others family occasions. There is a good square for dancers.

I visited the Spanish Monastery on a beautiful spring afternoon. I took lots of pictures, it is such apeaceful place.

The place is nice, a lot of people in Miami don't even know if exist, I will recommend it for families

It was built in Spain and taken down stone by stone and reassembled here. Without that backdrop, the monastery would not be all that special. It is nice for an hour-long visit.

We enjoyed an hour at the Ancient Spanish Monastery today, and we're glad we went. The story of how it ended up here is a fascinating one, and the grounds are lovely and peaceful. It is true that there are many other places to see in Miami, and although we have been to the city many times this is the first time we made it out to the Ancient Spanish Monastery, but it was very enjoyable and I would recommend it, especially if you have other reasons to be in North Miami. We happened to combine our visit here with a wonderful lunch at Cheen Huaye and an exciting few hours at the Dezer Collection, which was an excellent (if accidental) itinerary.

The Spanish Monastery is actually part of a medieval monastery that was completed in the year 1141AD in Sacramenia,Spain not far from Segovia. It was originally purchased by the famous newspaper tycoon William Randolph Hearst and disassembled,crated and shipped to the U.S.A. to eventually become part of his home in San Simeon,later known as Hearst Castle (see my separate review of this incredible hill top home on California's central coast). Of course things didn't work out that way and the massive shipment of stones layed untouched in a warehouse until purchased by some imaginative businessmen to be reassembled (like a headache inducing jigsaw puzzle!) as a tourist attraction in the North Miami Beach area. When the site fell into financial difficulties it was once again purchased by a philanthropist to be donated to the Episcopal church which to this day maintain the site and offer church services.
In my opinion this site might not be for everyone but if you are interested in antique pieces of furniture,religious history,or medieval architecture then definitely do check it out. Plus the surrounding gardens impart a sense of much needed tranquility,a place to reflect or relax.
Keep in mind that this place is popular with wedding parties and used for photo shoots so there's always the possibility that it could be closed to the public at certain times. It had been many years since my previous visit and I was pleased to be able to return with some coworkers who enjoyed their visit and took many pictures.
The lady in the gift shop/museum was very welcoming and parking wasn't a problem. I would suggest also visiting nearby Greynolds Park since it's just a few minutes down the road from the Spanish Monastery and it's one of the area's older parks with some nice trails and wildlife such as raccoons,iguanas and many birds to be seen (See separate review of this park).

We had a great morning learning and seeing this monastery. It was fascinating to hear how it came to be located in Florida.

Although I've been to Miami several times, this was my first visit to the Ancient Spanish Monastery. And what a surprise! It is a very nice place, hidden in a secondary street, just a few miles from the Aventura Mall. It is a very well kept construction with wonderful gardens. The U$10 for the entrance is cheap, compared to the beauty and the tranquility of the place. The visit doesn't take more than two hours, so it is easy to squeeze this attraction in your agenda. I definetely recommend it.

Old monastery was neat due to age. A few walking trails (short) and a small museum. A little expensive for what was there but glad that we took the time to stop and check it out.

Neat place to visit. Worth 10 dollars. Loads of history. Beautiful gardens. Nice place to walk around. Use the paper pamphlet they give you see you can understand what your looking at.

Crazy history! an old monastery from Segovia Spain dating back 1200 years was bought by the Hearst family, disassembled, and sent via boat to California, but never made it. Got stuck and reassembled in Miami! Padre Alberto, the former catholic priest that got caught with a woman, then married the woman in this monastery as an Epicopalian. Greynolds Park a few blocks away is the best park in Miami . the two together make a great afternoon.

Truly a step back in time! An unusual site to see in Miami. The buildings and grounds transform you to a time centuries ago. You will enjoy your visit.

St Bernard de Clairvaux was built in 1800's by Spanish as a Monastery. It was disassembled in Spain, transported to North Miami by ships and reassembled. Today its a church, They have beautiful gardens, a rich old world decor. They sponsor many events and parties. The main source of income is weddings.

Tucked away on Dixie Highway just north of 162nd street sits this unique monastery and gardens. Built in Spain during the 12th century and moved to this location in the 1930’s by William Randolph Hearst. Walking around you would never know that. Despite being in an urban area you can get lost in the tranquility of the gardens. Two masses are conducted on Saturday and Sunday, one in English and one in Spanish. Great location for a wedding!

...Of what Florida history is all about! try to get the guided visit! its worth it!

Attended a wedding here and know that it is very popular for this reason. I would only plan a visit during the cooler months.

The grounds were amazing my nephew got married there what a great time, Staff was amazing. Alot of cats walking around.

Nothing is cooler than 800 year old ruins...unless you could cut out travel time, booby traps & pay a mere $8 to go back in time. Perfect for the family with an imagination but a limited budget for archaeological expeditions. My 9 year old is still talking about this and now owns an Indiana Jones whip...

The the Ancient Spanish Monastery is a great way to spend an afternoon wandering around the ground and imagining yourself transported back in time to old world Europe. It is very peaceful and beautiful Such a hidden treasure in North Miami Beach.

You MUST see this place. It's worth it to wait for a parking space. Natural light filled cloisters make for gorgeous photos and the courtyard is absolutely picturesque. The gardens needed a little trimming and one of the fountains wasn't working, but on the whole, the gardens were the least interesting thing about the whole place (besides the fact that the best scene in Ace Ventura was shot partially in those gardens--a fact I realized after about ten minutes into my visit). The history of the place is amazing and it's an absolutely wonderful way to spend a few hours in NMB.

I recommmend Jan-Mar when the weather is better. 90% of the monastery is outside. There is plenty of shade, but any other time of the year is just too hot.

to take in history! The architecture & gardens are amazing!!

I love to bring visitors here to take photos.

A great place to have a wedding!

I found out about the monastery on a "hidden gems" list and enjoyed a quick visit on a Saturday morning. The monastery was beautiful and the gardens splendid. There is a small museum in the gift shop. It's a great place to go and take some photos and stroll around the gardens.

Be sure to call before going, as the property is often closed to the public to host events. For example, the cloister was being prepared for a wedding towards the end of my time there. Also, know that the labyrinth is a brick-lined walking path tucked away in a wooded area of the property. Though the pictures show this, I failed to see them prior to my visit, and envisioned a hedged labyrinth much bigger in area. Oops!

Very beautiful and amazing. I took great pictures there. Its story is amazing too because it was disassambled in Europe and rebuilt in North Miami Beach

This is a beautiful monastery of 1200 AD that was "imported" from Spain, stone by stone, and reassembled in a large garden from which you don't see the surrounding buildings. There is the Cloister and the Chapel, both extremely well kept. Peaceful and restful ambiance. You can spend from one to two hours enjoying the place. It is not usually crowded. The admission is 5$ seniors or 10$ public outside this category. A couple of miles from Aventura Mall, just take Biscayne, cross the railway, take 163rd. (route 826) and West Dixie is already there. Free easy parking in front of the main Entrance.

check the maps first..our Tom-Tom and iPhone Google maps had us too far north or too far south, or else right next to the highway. The site is quite mixed...yes, it's the 12th century building but also an active parish with homeless in the parking lot and tables at lunch for a free lunch. The entrance building is not of historical interest...it's dark, in need of work, and features some haphazard items (an old Pope's armoire, table with old magazines e.g.) which are ill lit and oddly arranged, but the garden you come to next is relaxing. The "monastery" itself is just a door into the cloister square with center garden, and a chapel off to one side next to an covered open area where we too saw the yoga class. Services are regularly held in the chapel. Aside from the that, there are 3-4 stone statues/memorials on the cloister walls worth examining. Overall it is not large at all: unless you are given to sit for a while in the chapel area, simply walking through will take less than 30 minutes. If you have seen monasteries in Europe you might give this teeny one a pass, but it's an interesting short visit to see it located north of Miami.

This grand ole place started in 1133 ad , back in Spain , in 1925 W.R. Hearst purchased it and dismantled it in mark boxes and brought to USA .... I won't explain the whole story but it was re- assembled in 1952 in USA , and too 19 months ...

This place is typical of Spanish churches , high arches doorways and ceilings , sandstone , soapstone statues , central garden ... very nice , wry authentic , very old - places like this in north America are very very rare , touch an archway dating back 885 years and wonder all the prayers that have been said here !

A gem , well hidden in Miami area , is perfect for a stroll in the morning , or noon --- pick a cool day , walk and meditate ,,, very calming place ... serene , with history galore!

Park free - entry fee 5$ for seniors more or less for others ,,,, i suggest you read up on the history at the front before venturing in it will surprise you ,

All in all a good afternoon visit ...

A transplanted Spanish cloister from the 12th century. The cloisters and chapel were so peaceful and beautiful. The history of the monastery was fascinating. Not an easy location to find but well worth the visit if you are in the area.

Loved the architecture and grounds
Lit candles and was amazed by the beauty of this little gem a hidden treasure for sure!!

What a beautiful place in North Miami! I would have never found it if it weren't for the Smithsonian Museum Day. This was on the list of free places to visit and it worked out perfect since it was the area I was staying.

I love the gardens, the structures brought from Spain, and the history behind this beautiful spiritual place.

One can feel so calm and peaceful here. It's in the area of North Miami so it is convenient to the area as well as Aventura.

With all the hustle and bustle area, you will find this place, a perfect place slow down just a little bit.

Afterwards or beforehand visit The Alchemist for a perfect coffee or breakfast brunch item. It will surely be a perfect part of your day!

It is really beautiful, special to take pictures and walk around feeling the peace and the good vibes. Nice place for wedding.

drove 50 miles to visit the Spanish monastery and they were closed when we arrived. Thee had it closed to set up for a wedding that evening. Thye just had people setting up tables and I asked lady at front desk to let us at least go out to the patio but she refused. Not very friendly lady. Will not return..

Reputed to be the oldest non-indigenous structure in the United States, this 12th century Spanish monastery is sublime. The courtyard would be a perfect party or wedding venue and the chapel is sweet. Walk the gardens.

This monastery is located a little off the beaten path in North Miami, but is totally worth the trek. A few blocks off the main drag, it's back into a neighborhood that has some not so glam, but genuine charm. The monastery itself is quiet with few visitors. The building grounds and gardens are beautiful. Take your time and really enjoy the atmosphere. It makes you feel like you've stepped back in time to Pirates of the Caribbean.

It’s $10 for adults and $5 seniors and students. Nice scenery with pic and all about an hour spent... light a candle and a little holy water

The most terrible experience I’ve had at a museum. Wanted to go there with friends. But, the woman at the front desk looked at us, said that we were dressed “too fancy” (a pink lace dress and a red long dress) and that we would have to pay 200 dollars to enter. We were not intending to take any professional pictures at all, these were just our regular dresses, (we like to look nice) but she told us very rudely that we would have to pay 200 or get out. If you go here, do not wear nice clothes at all, for the chance that you will be turned away. Very sad we were not able to visit it.

We were in the North Miami area and decided to visit The Cloisters since we had never been here. We read the very interesting brochure that we received at the entrance. It answered all our questions about how this ancient monastery built in Sacramenia - a province of Segovia, Spain ended up in North Miami. What was once The Monastery of St. Bernard de Clairvaux, a home for 700 Cistercian monks has now become a tourist attraction as well as an active Episcopal Church, St. Bernard De Clairvaox. No matter what your religion, you will admire the inspiring and beautiful architecture that you see here.

You enter and exit through the gift shop, naturally and there is plenty to view here before you even go exploring the grounds. It was interesting to see the black and white photographs mounted on a wall chronicling how the monastery arrived here. View the Spanish Strong Boxes, the Family Confessional, the Hymnarium and the Pope’s Cabinet from the 1600’s. I took several photographs inside and admired the beautiful hand-made rosary beads in the display case.

Walk through the 700-pound hand-wrought Iron Gates and you will find yourself in a peaceful and inspiring environment. Wander through the gardens and admire the many statutes donated to the church in the 1970’s. Nearly 200 plants and trees remain in the gardens today. Originally, these gardens were a nursery before the reconstruction of the monastery. Be sure to see the Abbot’s Chair, which is located across from the driveway at the far left end of the formal gardens.

The Cloisters is the oldest building in the US now listed in the Register of Historical Sites. As you walk through the Cloisters, notice the stonemason marks of trowels, stalks, stars, crescents and crosses carved after each stone was completed These were used for the purposed of identification. One sealed doorway led to where the monks slept in spartan conditions - on wooden pallets. Just to the right after the doorway, there is an 800-year-old Baptismal Font. After the Episcopal Church bought the monastery, the former dining room of the monks, which later became a museum, now is an active church. A small bell that called the monks to the dining room is still at the entrance. I opened the closed door and peeked inside the dim chapel. Two stained glass windows caught my eye and I later learned that they are two of only three telescopic windows in the world. To the right of the altar is a stature of St John. To the left is the enthroned Christ with seven candlesticks. There are two paintings inside the church, which were hard to see in the dim light. One is of St. Bernard, from the 1500‘s and the other one is of Mary and the infant Jesus. Notice the Visit of the Magi, a relief carving of white marble dated around the mid 1600‘s.

Other notables are the 2nd century Roman granite Cloister Patio Well, King Alphonso VII stature, the Chapter House, Christ the King Stature, Statue of Mary and French Alphonso VIII Statue (grandson of Alphonso VII.) Behind the statue is a doorway that once led to the stables and fields. Another doorway led to the kitchen. While we roamed the grounds, we saw a little girl with her mother and a photographer taking photographs of her. She looked so cute in her long white Holy Communion dress that I took a photo of her myself.

Expect to spend about an hour or so exploring the grounds. There is plenty of free parking in the private lot of the Cloisters. The peaceful setting will find you talking in whispers. Admission price is $8 for adults, $6 for Teens 13-18, $5.00 for seniors and youths ages 6-12, and $4 for Military with ID. Children under five are free. Light snacks are available in the Gift Shop. Services at the chapel are in English on Sundays 8am and 10:15am. A service in Spanish is at 12:15. On Wednesday, there is Holy Eucharist and a Healing Service at 10am.

I love this place I recommend the tourists to come to visit the Spanish monastery, I attended to a service the people are very friendly.

I have visited the Miami area several times in the past couple of years, but did not find out about the monetary until my latest trip. It was definitely worth taking an hour to go and check it out. Make sure and call before you go. The website states they close sometimes for events.

Tried to do something cultural before my flight out of Miami. Drove all the way over to the Spanish Monastery and it was closed on a Friday afternoon. Sign said come back Sunday. Sadly will not be back to Miami soon.

Learn the history on how this was built stone by stone. Nice gardens and statues. Many (some famous) people were married here.

We stopped at the Ancient Spanish Monastery on our way back north, at the end of our little vacation in Miami. It had just rained that morning, but the sun was back out providing the most beautiful, almost mystical light reflected on the damp stones and grass. It was absolutely fascinating! I just wanted to see this place for myself, after reading of the story behind its "arrival" in the new continent and what probably is the biggest puzzle in history! The monastery and its stunning gardens are so tranquil and serene. I also confess that, as a LOTR fan, the structure reminded me of Gondor... Crazy, right? We thought the price was a little steep, $10 per adult, but we had a very nice stroll and plenty of amazing pictures, so I'm not complaining too much about that.

What a beautiful setting. No wonder so many couples used this as a wedding venue. Historic. Beautiful cloister. Makes you feel you took a trip to Spain.

The peace and serenity in a hustle and bustle area a few blocks away in a building built before there was a United States, disassembled and brought to the USA, I believe By Wm. Randolph Heast. Look at the workers markings. Christian Jew and Muslims workers, worked together to build this priceless gem.

Beautiful grounds & amazing story!
Nominal entrance fee ($10), accessible restrooms with a mixture of sun/shade. We walked around ~1.5 hours...lovely respite from commercialism.

I got married here in a destination wedding and was amazed that such an ancient structure existed in the U.S. The pictures definitely made it seem as if we got married abroad. We were going to be married in the courtyard but due to light rain they moved us to the chapel at no cost. The surroundings and gardens make for great pictures. The only issue keeping this from being 5 stars is that the location is not great as it's a bit out of the way.

Our friends got married here over the weekend - what a unique and beautiful place to say "I do!" It was a lovely outdoor ceremony and the reception area literally took my breath away when we walked through the heavy arched doors. Just amazing!

Amazing place to visit and/or get married. I've worked several events at this location and it never fails to impress. Its a very romantic place and a very whimsical place. Its fun to just roam around and explore.

When I first heard the term "ancient" Spanish monastary I had to laugh. But then I learned that this really is a 600+ year old structure diassembled and shipped in 11,400 boxes to America to be reassembled and preserved. The benefactor - William Randolph Hearst. The stonework, woodwork, carvings and masonary are simply amazing - one exhibit notes that this level of artisanship just doesn't exist anymore. For example, back then most artists carved everything on site (house calls!). It would be easy to breeze through this attarction but please take time to enjoy the atmosphere and visualize what it must have taken to built it in the first place, then rebuilt it from ruins. The grounds are beautiful as is the amazing giant tree on the premises. Enjoy and absorb!

My wife and I went to Miami for one week in December 2008. Due to having limited finances, we stayed in North Beach Miami. North Beach is fairly boring, so we decided to see some sites. The Ancient Spanish Monastery was my favorite attraction.

The Ancient Spanish Monastery is beautiful and a great place to take photos, especially on sunny days. You should allocate approximately 90 minutes if you want to take your time and see everything. It's small, but there are lots of details to notice.

You should call ahead because the Monastery has private events frequently and its hours are often different from those on its website. Although we called ahead, we didn't get to see the entire church because we went on a Sunday and we were unable to see the chapel because services were underway, so we plan on going back so we can see it.

It's beautiful and definitely worth the drive! In my opinion, it's better than Vizcaya Museum and Gardens.

Great monetary, with a cool story on how it was built.
The artifacts are well maintained, though a bit pricey for a monastery.
Beautiful gardens, very peaceful

We were looking for some place to visit with out of state friends and found the Monastery. Beautiful place I highly recommend you visit (possibly in cooler weather).

This is a small gem in traffic crazed North Miami. Just a stone's throw from Biscayne Blvd. and all the shops/restaurants. The Spanish Monastery provides a contemplative, lovely spot.

Beatiful grounds... It's worth visiting. Perfect location for an event. Just know it's not a big place.

The Ancient Spanish Monestary is a lovely spot to visit, a beautiful, tranquil oasis tucked into north Miami. The combination of the historical background of the structure combined with the lush landscaping and the peaceful chapel and the artifacts in the visitors center provide a visit full of visual stimulation. The small gift shop area in the visitors center has reasonably priced products as a special remembrance of your visit. A lovely spot to spend a morning or afternoon.

This is a historical treasure, from many relics from 1200’s in Miami... $10 to go into the past and see this beautiful place even to get married in! See the pictures and enroll to visit! It’s simply gorgeous!

This monastery comes from Spain but is present in Florida! Don't miss it after a stay at the nearby beach!

Our group visited here on a Sunday morning. I did not realize beforehand that this site also serves as a church. We arrived shortly before noon and were a little confused about what was going on. I thought it was purely a historic site but I came to find out that the building is used as an Episcopal Church.

Anyway, you pay a fee and you get a photocopied sheet that tells a little about some exhibits and the history of the monestary. The grounds are pretty and well maintained and the monestary cloisters building is interesting but I think that a guided tour would be much more informative and really add to the experience. The most interesting thing about the monestary cloisters for me was finding the marks in the individual stones made by the stonemasons who made them back in the medival times. Each stonemason had his mark and left it on a stone that he prepared for the building.
If you found this review helpful, let me know!

I have been to many great weddings, but this location was by far the BEST!!! If I ever get married again it will be here.

Had a school assignment, went around 10am to go service, Episcopal service was very nice, members are very friendly. Monastery was beautiful it was great to be able to read about the history of the place and be able to enjoy all the beauty it has.

in a local where nothing is really more than 100 years old ... a structure carted over from Europe which is almost 1000 years old is a treat. My favorite time to go is on a Sunday when there is a service ... then garden & the church are real and not tourist props. The garden is simple but again, on a Sunday it comes alive.

My husband and I had our wedding ceremony in the chapel here 8 years ago - it is an oasis with gorgeous buildings and grounds in the middle of North Miami!

We stumbled upon it when looking for a wedding venue, and as soon as we visited, we knew we wanted to get married there. All our guests thought it was wonderful and the wedding photos in the cloisters and gardens were amazing! In fact, it is so special to us, and the minister (Father Stenette) did such a wonderful, personalized job, that we went back to have our son christened there a few years later.

The grounds of the monastery are lovely, tropical and very peaceful. The cloisters and chapel take you back to another time. It is really a unique place with an interesting history and worth a visit if you are in Miami.

Miami has great places to visit. Please don`t waste your time visiting this place. It does not offer anything to see.

The story of how this monastery came to be in this location is interesting, and the artifacts which are on display are amazing, such a treat to see such very old items up close. After viewing that collection, you proceed out into a very nice garden. You see the interesting, rebuilt building ahead - and then you step inside, and wow! This is a very special place, and to think that worship services and weddings are still held here regularly is fantastic. Definitely do not miss seeing this when you are in the area.

St. Bernard de Clairvaux Church is a medieval Spanish monastery cloister which was built in the town of Sacramenia in Segovia, Spain, in during the years 1133-1141, purchased by American newspaper mogul William Randolph Hearst and dismantled in 1926, then shipped in 11,000 crates to New York City and eventually reassembled at 16711 West Dixie Highway in North Miami Beach, Florida. But that's only part of the fascinating story. Hearst had planned to rebuild the monastery at his baronial San Simeon estate but financial difficulties prevented him from doing so. Instead, the dismantled structure was stored in a warehouse in Brooklyn until it was purchased in 1952 by Raymond Moss and William Edgemon, who put everything together on the site of a small plant nursery and turned the complex into a tourist attraction known as the Ancient Spanish Monastery. It took 19 months and almost $1.5 million to accomplish the task. Along the way, some of the original stones remained unused but Moss and Edgemon added other decorative pieces from different Spanish buildings, such as the large round carved stone coat of arms seen in the cloister. In 1964, faced with financial difficulties, the Dioceses of Central, Southeast and Southwest Florida, sold the monastery to the Episcopal Diocese of South Florida. Today, it is an Episcopal church. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1972. Three doors from the monastery can be found in a private home in Atlanta, Georgia.

Absolutely Breathtaking. Imagine a monastery built in the 12th century, taken apart and reassembled in the United States stone by stone. You can literally touch ancient history with your hands and it's right here in our backyard. A place of of meditation which brings your heart to a moment of peace, calmness and tranquility.

The Ancient Spanish Monastery in North Miami is a beautiful to place to visit and take photos. The story behind the building is amazing and so is the architecture and surrounding gardens. You will take several beautiful photos here.

I nice and quiet place to go for a walk and learn some of the history that happen and how this Monastery was built.

Our friends had their wedding here and at first I was a bit skeptical. Once inside I realized this place is an forgettable gem. I won't spoil the story of how the place was constructed in case you plan to go yourself, but definitely worth the trip.

I recently revisited the Ancient Spanish Monastery and this is truly an amazing place. The engineering involved to transport this from the Spanish Pyrenees village to the states and reassemble it is mind boggling. Most amazing is the serenity one feels visiting this site. The day I was there, it was later in the afternoon and they were preparing for an evening event and there were several event company employees trying to set up, which was distracting with crates and lighting equipment being hauled in. I recommend visiting before 2 pm to avoid the possibility of them preparing for evening events. However, I can see why this would be a spectacular place to hold an impressive event.
Take a moment to visit, explore, walk the labyrinth and marvel as the trees on the property. Take your time, don't rush and you will feel your stress dissipate as you stroll the monastery and the grounds.

This was one of those "bring your spouse along" business trips. After a great Sunday lunch following church, we were looking for something to do that wouldn't require the whole day. After a brief search on the Trip Advisor app, we recognized that this was only about five minutes away, so we took a chance and headed over. So happy that we did!

This is not a large tourist attraction, filled with hordes of people. It was raining lightly on the day we visited, so we were not able to explore the grounds as much as we would have if the weather had been nicer, but it was clear that the gardens were well cared for, and it's easy to understand why this is an attractive venue for weddings and outdoor photography.

The monastery itself was fascinating, and although the brochure provided for a self-guided tour is very simply printed in black-and-white on a photocopier, it was very informative and helpful in locating a lot of the little nuances that would normally be missed, like the masonry marks on each of the stones in the cloisters and the history of the artwork hanging in the chapel. The story of how the monastery came to be built in Miami is really interesting and provides a lot of insight to certain areas of the structure.

This is not a place to go if you are looking for adventure and excitement (it is still home to an active Episcopal congregation, after all), but for a quiet and relaxing step back in time, or for a peaceful place to get away and meditate, The Old Spanish Monastery in Miami is a lovely option.

I have not been here in awhile, but it is a nice stop. Very quiet, lovely location. Good for walking and contemplating.

Thoroughly impressed with the visit to this site. Having visited the Hearst Castle in California, I was intrigued by the history of how this monastery ended up in Florida. The grounds and gardens are very nice and walking through the monastery brought back memories of some of the places I've visited across Europe...which is understandable considering the history of this place. Overall, a very relaxing place to visit.

This is the oldest building in the U.S. when you don't count the Conquistador-built fort at St. Augustine. Built around the 12th century, this one came to being one block at a time in the U.S. when newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst brought it back after seeing it in Spain. Each piece (over 11,000 crates) was dismantled, labeled, and shipped back only to lie around in a warehouse for decades. When it was finally reassembled in its new North Miami home-- years after Hearst's death- it was reimagined as a tourist attraction. And then, many more years later, it was bought by the Episcopal church and transformed into its original purpose. Sunday services are held there but it's still open for tourists-- and is well worth a visit. It's the real thing for sure, ancient and amazing to behold.

This 100 + year old building was what one of the first buildings in Florida and is unforgettable. It is part of an actual church and more a place to visit while in the area then a destination in itself.

It's ok, but a little small for a monastery, doesn't have a lot to see. With student ID it's only $5 if not its $10..
The best is the patio. I'll rather go to Vizcaya Museum, it was amazing.

Something you would not expect to find hidden in the bustle of NMB. The grounds are beautiful and it provides a nice glance at classics Spanish architecture. Priced well, it a great place to see and take the family if you love nearby.

I am amazed by the place but what will it cost to get an italian translator to review your guide? It is poorly written and make me so sad to read this guide

Incredible find in an out-of-the-way location. You are suddenly transported back to medieval Spain.

Friends daughter had her wedding here and it was a wonderful location and the staff was very accomodating.

A very interesting story of how the monastery made its way from Spain to Miami Beach. I loved watching the informational video in the lobby. The gift shop was unique too. Very cool little spot. We stayed for about 40 minutes total.

Went to my friends wedding it has very raw beauty. This place provided with a great picture backdrops.

There is only so much sitting on a beach that I can do so I'm always looking for a little distraction from the sun and sand. This was the perfect place to visit...lovely gardens, peaceful surroundings, and some interesting information about the monastery and the historical artifacts in the museum.

Read the history in the website if you can before you go. Otherwise, they do play a several minute video explaining the history. You could spend 10 minutes to several hours depending in your interest. Just beautiful and well-maintained gardens.

Excellent place to spend a day... peaceful and Serene and very historic. Spend a day there with your family.. great gift shop.

The place is amazing , the garden is well taken care of.The building is beautiful and the structure are nice.Overall is good to see places like this that are still being visited. The place is a must! to visit.I recommend this place to everyone. You ll love it.

We did not expect to find this beautiful old monastery in the middle of residential area. It is always nice and cool there even in the middle of the hot day.

Picture yourself walking down the halls of a 800 year old Spanish monastery. Now picture it in South Florida.....It is a wonderful visit. This monastery was brought from Spain and reassembled at the expense of tycoon William Randolph Hearst to eventually be reassembled in North Miami Beach. While there is pretty much little else to do or visit in North Miami Beach, this place is a must as it is not only unique but inspiring. The monastery is a working church most recently known for the wedding of former catholic priest Alberto but "entertainment tonight" commentary asides, it is just a beautiful place, a relaxing place worth visiting.

Decided to pop in to see this little treasure on our way out of South Beach - so pleased we did - fabulous little flight of fancy from William Hearst's day that has been lovingly restored and found a home in Miami! The buildings are lovely but the surrounding gardens and courtyard are just beautiful and so sympathetic...
We zoomed round in less than an hour as we were en-route somewhere else, but it would be lovely to sit and maybe enjoy a sandwich lunch in the grounds...

I more or less "crashed" the place and toured for free because a commercial film was shooting and the gates were wide open. No one stopped me as I wandered freely through this charming spot transporting me back to 12th century Spain. The cloister is beautiful, and the gardens dazzling with color. There was no evidence of Hurricane Irma which came through a few weeks earlier. The perfect place to escape the hustle bustle of Miami.

Love the old sculptures & quietness, lovely place to go

Absolutely gorgeous setting indoors and out. Expansive grounds provide a beautiful open-air backdrop for ceremonies and events, as well as large adjacent reception area. Once inside the monastery, a magical old world unfolds. Extremely well done recreation of the 12th century Romanesque and Gothic monastery from Spain. Includes three chapel areas, cloister halls, inner fountain gardens, accessory rooms. Unlike any other venue in Florida. Accommodates a garden event, chapel ceremony, reception, photo shoot, music venue. Our family could not have been more pleased with the selection of this venue for a wedding.

The monastery is located on a maze of grounds with a few statues scattered .
The monastery itself is not only peaceful. But beautiful. There is a courtyard
As well as a church, open air rooms,there are bathroom facilities. The tour guide is available for
Large groups. The fee entrance is a,ittle steep but look for coupons,There is a small gift shop.

It is an excellent place to meditate, relax, feel the spiritual part of each individio. It is also a beautiful place by the style of construction and architecture, coupled with the gardens and adjacent areas. you can spend a couple of hours away from the stress of the cities.

It's a 3.5 (good), but not a 4. The history would be interesting if it were better presented. There is a thin video and some not always related display items in a small 'museum' cum ticket office. The structure itself is interesting, but it's also a prime destination for all kinds of wedding, or more prominently Quinceanera photo shoots, so you never quite achieve contemplation. There are some beautiful sightlines, however. With a little bit more explanation, one might have a better appreciation of the jigsaw puzzle nature of the effort. But pretty and you do feel tucked away. The garden feature (not a maze, I've forgotten the term and my brochure is now put away) - supposedly a contemplative path leading to an enlightened center meditation spot reads much better than reality. If you realize you've missed it as you head out, not to worry.

This place was built in Spain in the late 1400s disassembled stone by stone in the 19th century and reassembled piece by piece in the 20th century,most of the stones still have markings of templars and crusaders engraved by hand,really impressive.

A beautyful 900 year old monsstery, the original was taken into parts and rebuilt here!
We were impressed,
It is just 15 minutes from Aventura Mall!

A beautiful old monastery., in the middle of a street you don't expect. Lovely gardens. A nice half day excursion. When you are finished wth the hustle and bustle head to this venue.
Great little area with a good iItalian grocery store near by.

The monastery is nice to visit even.
Unfortunately, on our day of visiting they had a cleaning operation that ruined the visit.
They did not tell us about it, and since the place is small, we couldn't enjoy it.
Nice visit but really overpriced, even without noise.
Don't change your route to visit it.
If you pass by, you can't make the stop.

Amazing story Had great informative tour with priest. Make sure you check hours open. Like a mini cloisters in NY. A hidden gem.

I attended a wedding reception here and it was absolutely spectacular. A bit out of the way (coming from Miami), but still worth it. If you want an outdoor wedding with a little oomph, I highly recommend.

The Ancient Spanish Monastery is definitely the museum for history lovers. You will be more than happy to spend half of a day and learn about the very historic place.

We went on a Sunday to the Episcopalian church service and stayed to walk around and enjoy the BEAUTIFUL monastery. The monastery is free on Sundays. One of the church members took us on a private tour of the building and told us about the history of the monastery... very interesting!

This is an incredible piece of history... I felt like I was in Europe. I could not believe that I was in Miami... it feels like you are in a different world. The gardens were gorgeous.

I could see how some may find this "boring" if you are expecting to be entertained... but if you go in with the expectation of simply being present to the incredible beauty you will not be disappointed!

Be certain to read the posters on the inside wall, just opposite the reception area. They will help you understand how a genuine Spanish monatery wound up in Key Biscayne, Florida. The site is well maintained and appears a favorite for local events, like a wedding shoot today.

Really worth seeing. Super Beautiful and Peaceful!! Not far from Aventura and the Ft Lauderdale airport. Never would think that a place like this would be in North Miami!

We thoroughly enjoyed admiring the monastery and its many artifacts and did not realize that this is the oldest building in the United States. It is quite amazing that something from the 1100's could be deconstructed and brought over from Spain and then totally rebuilt in another country.
Listening to Sunday Episcopalian church services (different times for Spanish and English), was a treat. The monastery also has the 2 of the only 3 remaining telescopic windows in the world.
HINT: Allow about an hour to visit. Call for visiting hours. $5 admission for seniors and $8 for adults.

I have lived in Florida most of life and love to weekend travel to anywhere in Florida. I had won tickets to the Ancient Spanish Monastery on BiddingForGood. The moment you park, you realize that great care is taken to preserve the monastery and the gardens around it. It is a sanctuary in the middle of bustling North Miami and all that crazy traffic.
It should also be told that the monastery has regular services in the chapel. Respecting the other people at the monastery and worshiping, I waited until the service ended before photographing the chapel and explaining to my children why things were done the way they were during the service.
Everything is beautiful and the people are genuinely kind. There is a small gift shop that sells many things but what caught my attention was that they sell preserves - I had to buy the ginger preserves made by the Trappist Monks at St. Joseph's Abbey, in Spencer, MA. If you love ginger - good for the stomach, you will love these preserves. I look forward to trying the other preserves.
The monastery isn't that far out of the way and well worth spending a couple of hours to take in the calmness of all that makes up the monastery.

In the background are residential tower blocks of North Miami Beach. Ahead is one of North America's oldest buildings, dating to 1141, the cloisters of a Spanish monastery. Yet, Christopher Columbus did not set sail for the New World until the 15th century. We have an intriguing story to add to the fascinating architecture and sculptures.

The building is original. In 1925, the newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst bought the cloisters and outbuildings of the Monastery of St Bernard de Clairvaux in Sacramentia, Spain.

The buildings were dismantled stone by stone and carefully packed in order in some 11,000 wooden crates, with hay to protect them.

On arrival in New York, there was concern that the hay might be infected with foot and mouth diease which had broken out in Segovia in Spain, so all the crates were opened up and the hay was burnt. Unfortunately the workman didn't respect the original order and repacked the stones in a random order while around that time Hearst himself had financial problems and certainly wasn't in a position to undertake a huge 3D jigsaw puzzle.

The stones remained in storage until 1952 when, after Hearst's death, they were sold and finally reassembled, at a huge cost, as a tourist attraction. A few stones were left over, as is always the way with puzzles. In 1964 the cloisters were bought by a wealthy philanthropist for the Episcopal Church and today are home to the Church of St Bernard de Clairvaux, an interesting link back to their original use.

The 12th century cloisters with their carved capitals have a number of sculptures in key locations and on the walls and lead to spaces which are now used as chapels.

The small museum has a display of Spanish artefacts and a silver chalice dating back to the reign of King James I in England, which was once in the Hearst collection.

A unique piece of history set in pleasant gardens.

But still worth visiting. The stones are from a monastery in Spain and we're supposed to be used for the fence of William Randolph Hearth Castle in California. Were never picked up until I don't remember how they ended up in Miami.
Glad they did.
The chapel is Anglican and they have services. Wedding and events.
Go

Not well known but this fantastic monastery is just 5 minutes from Aventura mall, a nice museum and the monastery was originally standing in Spain, than in 38.000 boxes transported to the US and built up here.
You should not miss it! This is a perfect place for marriage and other events!

A beautiful mixture of Europe architecture and tropical vegetation
inside the chapel you are tranported to another time and place breathtaking
all the place has a magic wonderful oasis in Miami

Love this place for photo opportunities ... the history is fantastic and the light shining through the trees make for nice photos any time of the day. It's not very big so you won't get tired walking around. I went their early in the morning and plan to return next time I am back down in Miami.

Pretty cool historical spot. Very well kept. The fee is a little steep. There was a photo shoot going on so it was tough to walk around... got pretty annoying.

We were invited to attend a wedding at the Ancient Spanish Monastery. It was one of the most beautiful venues for a wedding. The chapel was beautiful and airconditioned. The reception was held in the courtyard area it was very accommodating for the guests. There was room for a DJ and dancing. The staff was also very accommodating. WE highly recommend it.

The truth is, half of the monastery is still in Spain, so if you have ever been in Europe and seen a real monastery, this one is not very impressive. They also modify the original floors and other pieces ...

We went there not knowing quite what to expect. Found a delightful small Spanish Monastery. There were quite a few artifacts to look at and be enjoyed as well as a small gift shop. A garden with blooming flowers leads to another building on the grounds that houses a small chapel which is lovely. There is a fee to enter. As seniors we paid $5.00 each. Adult fees are $10.00 each.

We had done some brief research before visiting and expected more info once we were there. It's $8pp to get in and they give you a small brochure with minimal background. We had to use our phone to google more in-depth details of what we were looking at.

The place is peaceful...our day was not busy and we had plenty of time to explore at our pace and light a couple candles. The chapel was closed but when my husband tried to peek in, a staff member willingly opened it and turned the lights on for us. Overall, a very cool experience and worth the time spent.

If you are in the North area of the county, you may want to make a stop and visit this Spanish monastery. I once went to a wedding held here. Interesting to visit and learn about.

Not a big place but very nice to visit and spend a good two to three hours. the monks (yes they are real monks) are courteous and welcoming. the gardens are well tended. definitely worth a visit.

I am so in love with this place! I have been looking for a venue for my wedding for about six months before we stumbled upon this little gem. It only took me about 5 seconds while I was walking around before we decided this would be our venue, we went into the office and booked it that same day. It is so peaceful and beautiful and unlike any place I have ever seen! Can not wait to get married here in 2014!!!

Great wedding experience. The wedding ceremony in a 12th century chapel. The dinner was great. All around a great experience.

In 1925 W. Randolph Hearst purchased the Cloisters from a town in Spain that had been abandoned for years. It was shipped to America and reconstructed in Florida. Interesting history. The site itself is low key. It is presently owned by the Episcopal Church. The entrance is low key and small. The walk across the courtyard to the Cloisters is down played. If you like history it can be interesting but otherwise it can be disappointing. Entry fee is $10. There are few plaques to explain the history.

Old monastery surrounding by a beautiful garden. The bricks of the 12 century monastery were brought from Europe, each one with a number and reconstructed in North miami Beach.

-- 4 minute intro video was right beside the entrance, so very hard to see and hear without being distracted.

-- Most importantly, even though their website contained an "updated" schedule for February hours AND EVEN THOUGH I called at 11:15 AM to verify they would be open until 4:00 PM (on Feb. 4), they decided without warning or notice to close an hour EARLY! This was very disappointing to my wife, as we were headed back to to the gift shop after looking through the Cloisters to get a necklace that she wanted.

-- Admissions person did not point out the brochures which are an absolute must for you to understand what you are seeing as you walk through the Cloisters and grounds -- I found those by accident.

Only reason this review didn't get a "Terrible" 1-star rating is that we were able to get the senior rate of $5/person.

A beautiful building , well worth visiting for architectural feature, character and tranquility
I was privileged enough to attend a wedding at this location.
Perfect location for a successful event

The cloisters of this 11th Century monastery were moved to the New World in boxes and then warehoused for so long the directions for putting it back together were lost. However, somehow, the dreamers that made this lovely and contemplative space come together figured out how to put the pieces together. The site is used for Sunday worship by the Anglican (Episcopal) church which owns the property and is open to the public for participation in worship and for visits at any time (although they say to check website in case there are weddings or other events). I was especially interested in the gorgeous Romanesque and Gothic arches and other elements, but also with the artifacts in the small museum, which included knight/crusader armor and the clothing cabinet of Pope Uban VII, as well as the 12th C telescopic windows in the chapel. The Medieval telescoping windows are said to be two of the only three known to exist in the world today.

We visited the ancient Spanish Monastery last weekend and loved it. It is not a huge tourist attraction; but, it is not to be missed if you have an hour or less to spare. The story behind it and the fact that it is the oldest building in the western hemisphere makes it truly unique and special.

The architecture was stunning and there is a certain feeling you get when standing in a building that others stood in 800 years ago. Out of all the things we did over labor day weekend this is the one that stuck in my 6yr olds head! We did many more kid friendly things, but even he could appreciate the historical importance of this structure.

The cost is nominal.

I would like to share that this place is stunning!! My daughter had her wedding here all thanks to Carolina and Father Greg they are absolutely amazing people, they made everything possible and every single detail come true!! We had done a destination wedding as well and also this one for family and friends to attend that weren’t able to travel and I honestly tell you this one was beyond!!!! The place is beautiful, the staff is great!!! Again Carolina is soooo helpful and Father Greg is the best!

What a lovely place, this is a stunning building rebuilt after shipping all the stones from Spain in the 30s. We had an excellent tour guide who explained all the history to the place the cloisters were really calming and serene. We were able to visit inside the church after the Sunday service and it was small, quiet and welcoming. We also met Orlando who I believe is a pastor at the church, he helped us out when we were unable to use wifi and call for a taxi. Orlando very kindly took us to our next venue in his car. What a gentleman.
This is a lovely place to visit and possibly off the beaten track to many tourists, which is a pity. The grounds are beautiful with many very old trees and lots of photo opportunities.
I can certainly understand why couples would wish to marry here.

The story of how this traveled from Spain is impressive. For those who may not travel to Europe to see places like this in authentic locations, this is a worthy substitute. Very peaceful and beautiful. Very impressed with the original stained glass windows that are over 800 years old! Visiting here can easily be combined with the Aventura Mall just a few miles away.

It's amazing that this monastery was able to be reconstructed in NMB after the structure, in Spain, had fallen into serious disrepair. Hearst never got to fulfill his mission of rebuilding this monastery on American soil. That monumental task was left to others after his death. The monastery, standing tall, is now a religious structure once again. Masses are held here.

The grounds were well kept when we stopped in. A calming quietude pervaded the gardens and monastery. Very serene. Some one dozen fetal cats have taken up residence here. They stroll around or just sprawl about, nonplussed by us visitors. The receptionist told me that the staff members feed the cats, as do some of the visitors. The monastery provides veterinarian care, including neutering and spaying.

There's a short video presentation, about the monastery and its history, in the reception area. It's worth watching.

Beautiful and historic. We've been there several times and it's always a lovely experience. The history of its European dismantling and US reassembly is fascinating.

Attended the most beautiful wedding in my life there this past August. I was so amazed by the place!

All the travel guide said was Ancient Spanish Monastery, relocated to the US. We decided to check it out, paid the $8 admission and walked in. Ok... looked like an Ancient Spanish Monastery, statue here, coat of arms over there. Then we bumped into the resident priest, 'You know who you are taking a picture of he asked?' I really didn't. He went on to tell the history of the building and how it was commissioned to honor Alfonso who began to unite Spain. He went on tell that the monastery was on private land in the early 1900's when William Randolph Hearst purchased it and had it shipped to the US. The boxes were keep in storage for years before the monastery was reassembled in current location. If you are a history buff you will probably enjoy your visit here.

This place is a nice and surprisingly peaceful oasis in the mids of Aventura close to the Aventura mall. The premises are beautiful and nicely taken care of. I can recommend the monastery for a visit for residents as well as tourists.

As a caterer, I had the pleasure of catering our daughter's wedding there and it was magical! That was a while ago, but when I went back there again, I remembered those feelings. The ambiance there made me feel like I was in Robin Hood territory. I expected a knight in shining Armour to show up. the cobblestone is very authentic great in flat shoes. If you are looking for a place that will really make an impression on your guests, that is the place to go.

This is the oldest building in the Western Hemisphere. The work, detail and history of this place is AMAZING. This place should be on your list of things to see when you are in South Florida

The monastery was very peaceful and beautiful. Walking through the Cloister I felt like I was back in Europe. I defiantly want to return and visit again to soak up more of the peace that swirls in the breeze under the arches.

Having visited The Cloisters in New York and several sites in Europe, I wasn't sure if I needed to see the Ancient Spanish Monastery in Miami, but I'm glad I visited. There's something very soothing and beautiful about the lush tropical vegetation against the stones of the 12th century building (painstakingly disassembled in Spain for William Randolph Hearst and reassembled here 30 years later). Plus, it's the oldest building in the Western hemisphere, which is kind of neat. I was disappointed, however, that there was a yoga class going on in the chapter house, so I wasn't able to enjoy this part of the building. (Not to mention the fact that when I walked into the cloisters, the class participants were doing some sort of loud, angry chanting which really took away from what should have been the tranquil feel of the place!) But all the same, worth a quick visit.

We came here on a whim during a long weekend visit to Miami, and it turned out to be one of the highlights of the trip! The grounds and buildings are beautiful, with some nice pieces in the museum. Our toddler enjoyed having a little room to run in the gardens and I enjoyed the history of the place. Well worth the visit. Do call ahead first, we had to rush just a little as they were setting up for a wedding later that day.

I visited the Monastery's website before visiting yesterday - there was no mention that it was closed for a function.

Sadly when I arrived, there were signs saying that it was closed for a function.

The monastery is a little old gem embedded in a brand new city, the oldest building in USA for sure.
The garden is really nice, the building is beautiful - maybe because was made in europe centuries ago - and walking in the cloisters you can almost feel in medieval Spain. Frankly i could live without christmas decorations in the inner garden close to the well, but the little church (they actually hold services and weddings there) and the walk was relaxing and peaceful.
Besides this beauty, we were disappointed when we got there around 11am and we were told to come back at 1pm because the monastery was closed (despite the sign saying that opening time was 10am).
Tickets cost 8$ (4$ for students).

Good place if you want to admire european beauty in the middle of Miami. Anyway i hope no one else decides to bring something so ancient outside of europe.

Wow!! This is a beautiful cloister and gardens. If you're in the Miami area, you really should stop by and see it. I am still amazed Miami has such a hidden gem. The part that surprised me the most is it's Episcopal instead of Catholic.

My daughter had her wedding at this venue 3 years ago. It is one of the most beautiful spots for a wedding, and the rates are resonable. It was a magical wedding and if anyone is looking for a "garden wedding" or "a wedding in a Chapel," check out the Ancient Spanish Monastery. We held the wedding in the Prayerwell Area, cocktails in a garden area, and the reception in the Cloistures area. I am also a Certified Wedding Planner specializing in "Month of Coordination.". Check out my website: weddingsbykathleen.com.

Quite by accident I stumbled upon the Ancient Spanish Monastery. As luck would have it, the priest who leads worship there was present and gave a more detailed tour to those of us interested in it. (My 7 year olds were not interested!). It is an unusual building, in an unusual location, with an unusual history. Recommend a brief stop here. Admission fee is $10 for adults.

amazing property great place for a wedding. You get transported out of Miami the moment you step foot on the grounds

It is a nice place to visit and take pictures. They have a beautiful chapel for weddings and it is a beautiful location to host events.

Beautiful little church,Well kept garden. Perfect wedding venue with a touch of history. Offers services in multiple languages.

Beautiful courtyard that makes for a great backdrop for elegant pictures. The location is good for a 30-45 min time-out where it feels like you're not in Florida anymore (a welcomed feeling, especially for locals).
It's pretty much a hidden little treasure and a historical rarity. However, rather than a museum location, this venue feels like a venue for small concerts or private celebrations, though there are some lovely few items on display (large hymn leather book from the 12th century, for instance).
As a tourist attraction, it's quite limited, and you don't get what you pay for, in my view. Hefty entrance fee for visiting the "gardens" and the courtyard (wouldn't call it a monastery, since you're basically only viewing the halls of an inner courtyard and a small chapel). The gardens should be displaying many more local flowers and plants, maybe some edible plants and herbs also (being a monastery, it would make sense).
If you can get a discount (senior or child at $5) it is worth it. Otherwise, they should open the grounds on a "donations" base, I'm sure as a Catholic institution and accounting for their rental fees, they must be making an above modest self-sufficient income to keep the property in top condition.

Very intriguing and relaxing....big contrast to brash surroundings. not at all like the hustle and bustle of Biscayne Blvd (next door!) and Nporth Miami in general

Nice part of history.
But charging a fee to see something that is gone in 10minutes....?

The cloisters of this 11th Century monastery were moved to Miami rebuilt and set in a beautiful setting with gardens and even a labyrinth. A very nice respite from the hub bub of the cities around it.

We were amazed at the history of the monastery, as well as the complexity and thought of even bringing over a structure like this from a place like Spain. The grounds are mostly tranquil, the monastery can transport you back to old Europe if you pay attention to the detail, especially the statues surrounding the inside. The place is pretty amazing and it gets rented out for things like wedding, photo shoots, and videography.

I would suggest that you plan to spend 1 - 2 hours if you're not too interested in the history and nuance, and 2+ if you are interested.

Go back in time to a little piece of Spanish history. It's architecture and design is like a castle from Spain. I personally was there for a Wedding, so it was decorated like something out of a movie. Other than being there to celebrate, it would also be cool place to come by clear your head, walk around or sit inside the walls of the place.

This location is easy to get to, right off West Dixie Highway. There is ample parking, most of it nicely shaded.

Entry is $10, and everything is self-guided. There is a small display of historical artifacts in the visitor center. There is also a modest gift shop, and snacks/drinks are available.

The grounds are very quiet and lush. The main buildings are very nice, quiet, cool, and impressively restored and maintained. The arched galleries are especially good, excellent for photography.

This place is something truly amazing. A complete Medieval monastery imported brick-by-brick from Spain and reassembled here in North Miami. The gardens are incredibly beautiful, and so are the cloisters. This is a fun excursion for the family which will take just an hour or two, at most. Definitely bring your camera.

This old Spanish Monastary is very historic. The groups are gorgeous, with Spanish moss dripping from the trees. It is a great place to take a nice Sunday morning walk.

I suggest you call and check hours of admission - we thought we had read it opens at 10:30 a.m but paper on door indicated 11:00-4:00 (which may be summer hours). Free and mostly shady parking. Such an amazing story of how this was saved and reconstructed in the U.S. There was more to see here than we expected. For us as seniors the admission was $5.00 per person which is a bargain. The museum, located at the entrance building, while small seems full of museum quality and rare pieces. Spend some time here looking at the collection. Be sure and take a free pamphlet that explains the details of what you will be seeing. Lovely gardens - but we didn't have bug spray and were feeling some bugs. Such a welcome contrast to our days in frenetic South Beach. Peaceful and lovely.

I stopped at the Ancient Spanish Monastery on the way back from the Keys. I absolutely loved this stop. It was a beautiful day. The museum you walk into first is well labeled and air conditioned. The bathrooms were clean and very beautiful. The walk to the monastery was peaceful and quiet. It felt like I was the only one there. The inside was absolutely amazing. I truly enjoyed my time there. It is very well taken care of and the cats were friendly and wanted love. I highly recommend stopping here if you are rolling through Miami. Wear comfy shoes, bring some water and a camera.

I didn't mind paying the $10 to get in. Beautiful historic Spanish church that would be a beautiful setting for weddings, engagement, senior and/or religious photographs. We are thinking of doing our child's photos there when the time comes. We took great photos with our cell phone in the garden and the church itself but I can't even imagine how great professional photos would turn out. I posted the photos I took on Facebook and my family thought we went on a trip to Europe! :D The church and garden is small but so worth the time.

A Spanish monastery built in Spain and moved to the US. It is amazing to walk around and see the artifacts. The gardens are also amazing to walk through and very quiet. $10 was a little steep for a walk through self-guided tour. Check their calendar before visiting to make sure they are open.

I'm obsessed with castles and everything related to Medieval architecture. I was so excited about this monastery. However it costs $10 and I expected there would be more to see. The tour literally took us 15 minutes max. I did however enjoy learning about the history behind how the monastery came to be in Miami. I still would recommend it for people who love this type of architecture. I just feel like it should have been a little cheaper.

Hearst brought this over from Europe brick by brick. Here is your chance to see an authentic building and artifacts dating back to the 1100's. The only other people there were taking wedding pictures.

Great walk through a small old world structure. Not much detail in terms of the stonework. Time. And weather worn should be a free exhibit. Ok for south Florida.

When you first walk in, it was a bit underwhelming but, as I walked through, I really enjoyed this museum. The history in the actual museum is amazing, then you walk into the grounds and WOW - its absolutely gorgeous. The church itself holds so much history, with parts coming directly from Spain and being rebuilt here, and the courtyard landscaping was beautiful.
We were staying in South Beach, so it was a bit of a hike to get here, but absolutely worth it, if you're interested in the history, and want a lovely few hours I highly recommend stopping by.

They have specials posted on the board
1/2 happy hour and list of food and drinks twice I went and they attempt to charge full price for everything that when you bring it to their attention to fix it they still try to leave something over priced or make a mistake in their favor .. it's hard to trust a place that does this , once is a mistake twice is bad but around and around .. I won't go back

Pretty cool how they’ve taken the old stones from Spain and rebuilt it here. They created nice grounds surrounding it and within the cloister, but it's not huge, so you won't be able to make it an exercise outing. Very quiet mid week so you can sit in the chapel or on one of the benches in the cloister and enjoy the cool breeze that comes through, despite the exterior heat. Some artifacts in the visitor center, but not that exciting if you’ve been to a number of churches, monasteries or cloisters in Europe. A great place to take special photos (wedding, graduation, college, etc).

Avery body needs visit this Monastery, the history around this place is really amazing, admission and parking are free.

This place was nice, it was actually pretty boring , but i didnt care as it allowed my husband and i to get away for the afternoon in a nice setting that was appropiate for a young heimsher couple.

This site is very well maintained with a small museum at the entrance. Beautiful garden between the entrance and the monastery. Great building with stained glass in the chapel and many statues of old Spain.

The place is awesome, the park is beautifully decorated.
I went there for a baptism and even though the church is kinda small, it is very nice and cozy.
It is worth to visit.

I have gone here many time, whether for service or just to relax in the garden with a good book. Great place to take pictures, there a small fee to paid at the entrance but worth very penny.

We joined the late Christmas service in the chappel. It was very nice and they really did a good job. The priest is very into what he is doing.

It was a very good experience visiting the Spanish Monastery. This is what I call a hidden gem.

You wont see the crowds, you wont see the tourist madness, and you wont see people trying to tourist trap you.

What you get is a peaceful and serene location with abundance of history.

We spent a good couple of hours with our toddler and loved every bit of it.

We were told that a number of Spanish soaps are shot here and if we were lucky, we could walk into one of those sets.

The fee of $10 per person was a bit on the steeper side especially because people could just walk in through the main entrance for the church without having to pay the $10.

having been to Segovia, the story here intrigued me. pleasantly surprised. senior discount, over 62 is $5, others $10. nice pleasant setting.

I finally found a beautiful hidden gem to enjoy peace and quiet away from the hustle and bustle typical to Miami. Miles south from St. Augustine , you find here in Miami a lovely medieval Iberian experience of imported history. However one inauthentic element I found is that there aren’t any in-house Catholic priests or deacons . Rather, they have an Episcopalian priest there, which I find clashes with the theme of the Spanish Monastery. Otherwise, I enjoy this place whenever I’m in Miami

This is a hidden gem. The Ancient Spanish Monastery is a beautiful place. Not too much time is required to stroll around the monastery! It is a very peaceful atmosphere and you leave the place feeling very relaxed! If you would like, they offer a yoga class inside the monastery! I went with a friend to take the class and it was wonderful!

Very nice place to visit. Beautiful grounds and building with an interesting history. Be sure to watch the short film when arriving. Great place for a photo shoot.

We visited around lunch time during the week and found this off the beaten path. The facilities are run down and the grounds are not maintained well. They have a few pictures in the lobby showing the various stages of unpacking and assembly. The actual Monastery is pretty neat and we walked all around the inside, including the small chapel. We walked around the outside and the perimeter and noticed a lot of trash and unmaintained grounds. I would recommend this place if you really want to see it. The entrance fee was $5 per person in May, 2010.

If you are looking for something to do, I would instead recommend the Vizcaya Museum & Gardens.

I visited the Spanish Monastery last week with my family. I have passed it many times and knew of people who have had their weddings there, but had never stopped in until now. There is a small building (where you pay for entry) that has the history and several artifacts. When you exit the back of that building, you enter the gardens. It is very peaceful, and there are many chances to take beautiful photos. Beyond the gardens is the monastery. We went at opening, 10am, on a Friday. There was a yoga class being held at the time. What a perfect place to have a class!

We attended a wedding at this venue and it was very unique and wonderful.

This is a museum as well as a monastery. It was shipped piece by piece from Europe and reassembled. There are many objects and pictures in the front building. The monastery is quite beautiful, worth a visit. A piece of trivia: a scene from the movie "Rock of Ages" was filmed in the tiny chapel.