Abadía de San Salvador de Leyre

The Abbey of San Salvador de Leyre is one of the most important early medieval monastic complexes in Spain due to its historical significance, architectural interest, privileged natural setting, and excellent state of preservation. Leyre is the spiritual cradle of the Kingdom of Navarre. After more than a thousand years of existence, the monastery of Leyre remains active and offers visitors the opportunity to participate in the monks' liturgy, where the tradition of Gregorian chant is kept alive.

The abbey, already inhabited in the year 848, was the spiritual center of reference for the first kings of Navarre, who called it the "center and heart of their kingdom." It was given to the Cistercian monks in the mid-13th century and abandoned in 1836 due to anti-clerical laws. It was restored by the monks of Silos in 1954. In 1979, after gaining autonomy, its first abbot since the restoration was elected.