Incredible pictures of a Spanish Romanesque cloister that has been hidden from the public for half a century



This magnificent 12th century cloister has been hidden from the public for more than half a century.

Incredibly, it was bought for the equivalent of just 6,000 euros in Madrid in 1958 and the grand archways and carvings were uprooted and pieced together in the garden of a private residence in Catalonia.



Over the last half a century, the ancient cloisters have been lovingly cared for and in their idyllic Costa Brava surroundings, they look as though this was where they were always meant to be.



View of a Romanesque cloister from the 12th century in a private property in Palamos, retaining basic features of Roman architectural style, such as acanthus-leaf decoration

Journalists have been given access to the Romanesque cloister from the 12th century in a private viewing at a property in Palamos, Spain

The 12th century Romanesque cloister, sold by a Madrid antique dealer to its actual owner more than 50 years ago

Professor of medieval art history at Girona University Gerardo Boto looks at the Romanesque cloister from the 12th century in a private property in Palamos, Spain

Many of the Romanesque architectural styles can be seen in the decorative archways and columns of the Mas del Vent cloister Romanesque architecture refers to the art of Europe from approximately 1000 AD to the rise of the Gothic style around the 13th century Professor Gerardo Botoof Girona University's is one of many who have been excited to get to know this excellent example of 12th century monasterial architecture.

Romanesque architecture refers to the art of Europe from approximately 1000 AD to the rise of the Gothic style around the 13th century.

The term was invented by 19th century art historians, who noticed many pieces retained basic features of Roman architectural style, such as round-headed arches, barrel vaults, apses, and acanthus-leaf decoration.



Catalonia technicians and archaeologists are now studying the importance of the finding

Professor of medieval art history at Girona University Gerardo Boto measures a Romanesque cloister from the 12th century in a private property in Palamos, Spain Many of these styles can be seen in the decorative architecture of the Mas del Vent cloisters.

The Santo Domingo de Silos Abbey, is a Benedictine monastery in the village of the same name in the southern part of Burgos Province, in northern Spain.

It has six-foot tall piers with sculptural biblical scenes of the Post-Passion, the Pentecost, the Doubting Thomas, and the Road to Emmaus.



Technicians and archaeologists are comparing the cloister the Santo Domingo de Silos monastery, in the province of Burgos, which is considered the most important example of Spanish Romanesque architecture

Originally, these religious scenes would have been painted in bright colors. These carvings are dated to the middle of the 12th century - the same period the Mas del Vent cloisters were thought to be built.

Similar: The Mas del Vent cloister has been likened to the Romanesque cloister of the Santo Domingo de Silos abbey, pictured, near Burgos, northern Spain



