Ancient Spanish Monastery

Situated in North Miami Beach, this monastery has a storied past. Officially known as the Monastery of St. Bernard de Clairvaux, construction on the structure began in A.D. 1133 in northern Spain and was completed eight years later. It was inhabited by monks for nearly 700 years, but after a revolution in the 1830s, the monastery was taken over and sold.

The Monastery's Journey to the U.S.

In 1925, the cloisters and the rest of the monastery were purchased by William Randolph Hearst and dismantled stone by stone to be shipped to the U.S., packed in more than 11,000 crates. After years of sitting in storage, the monastery was rebuilt in Miami over the course of 19 months with plans to turn it into a tourist attraction called the Ancient Spanish Monastery. Time magazine called it "The Biggest Jigsaw Puzzle in History," as it involved over 35,000 stones.

A New Purpose

The monastery initially struggled as a tourist attraction and was eventually sold to a local diocese and transformed into a church. Today, it serves as both an active congregation and an attraction showcasing the monastery's stunning architecture and its surrounding gardens.

Visitor Experience

If you're looking to escape the hubbub of South Beach, you can venture north to admire this tranquil monastery. Visitors love that its grounds are historic, quiet, and serene, and say when the gardens are in full bloom it's truly a sight to see.

Hours & Tickets

You'll find the Ancient Spanish Monastery in North Miami Beach, about a 40-minute drive north of South Beach. Hours vary due to private events. The monastery is closed to visitors on Monday and Tuesday and frequently closes for weddings, filming, and photo shoots, so call ahead to ensure it's open.

Admission & Tours

Admission costs $10 for adults, $5 for children and seniors. Tours are self-guided, but private tour guides are also available for hire if reserved in advance. You can enjoy a free guided tour with paid admission on select Saturdays at noon.

Mass Schedule

Mass is held at the church on Sunday mornings in English at 8 a.m. and 10:15 a.m. and in Spanish at 12:15 p.m. For additional info and the latest operating hours, check out its website.