The Ancient Spanish Monastery
4.5(1.7K)google
3.9(84)yelp
History
Overview
The Ancient Spanish Monastery, officially named the Monastery of St. Bernard de Clairvaux, is a remarkable historic monument hidden away in North Miami Beach. Originally constructed in Segovia, Spain, between 1133 and 1141 AD, the Cistercian monastery stands as the oldest European structure in the Western Hemisphere. In 1925, media tycoon William Randolph Hearst purchased the historic property, dismantled it stone by stone, packed it into over 11,000 wooden crates, and shipped it to the United States. Reassembled in Florida in the 1950s, the cloisters feature ornate Romanesque stone arches, majestic stained glass, and tranquil maze gardens, offering a peaceful, spiritual look into medieval European history.
Practical Info
Suggested Duration1-1.5 hours
Best TimeBest visited on weekday mornings around 10:00 AM from October to April. The property is frequently closed on weekends for private weddings. Weekday mornings offer a peaceful setting where morning light filters through the 12th-century medieval stone cloisters dismantled and shipped from Spain.
Getting ThereLocated off Dixie Highway in North Miami Beach. There is no rail transit; driving or ridesharing is easiest. From downtown, take I-95 North, take the exit for NE 163rd St, and navigate to W Dixie Hwy. The venue provides a spacious, completely free parking lot inside the gates.
Travel Tips
- Closure notice: Because the historic cloisters and gardens are highly coveted for high-end wedding bookings, core areas close to the public on weekends. Always check the official website's live calendar before driving out.
Photo Tips
Photo Spots
- Best photo spot: Frame your shots through the West Cloister stone arches between 10 AM and 11 AM when sunlight slants across the tiled walkways. The monastery features an on-site private parking lot that is entirely free for guests.
Photo Rules
- Photography fine warning: Carrying a professional DSLR, interchangeable lenses, wearing formal attire, or bringing a tripod triggers a mandatory commercial photo permit fee ($200+). Casual tourist snapshots on mobile phones are free.
Reviews
Positive
- This 12th-century Spanish monastery stone cloisters shipped piece by piece from Europe hold deep historical value, living up to expectations beautifully.
- The tranquil ancient courtyard is filled with massive spreading oaks and lush flora, offering a serene, quiet sanctuary away from city buzz.
- The photogenic quality is universally praised as sun rays beam through stone colonnades, making the historic space a prime spot for wedding shoots.
- It provides ample free customer parking, keeps admission prices reasonable, and maintains smooth accessible paths for families pushing strollers.
Heads up
- The location is far up in North Miami Beach, detached from the downtown tourist core, making transit transfers painful without a rental car.
- Because it's a hot spot for private weddings and commercial photography, major portions or the entire property close unexpectedly on weekends.
- There is no onsite cafe or food concession, and the restroom facilities are small and dated, lacking necessary infrastructure for long stays.
- The open-air grounds get incredibly humid during the summer, and the ancient stone cracks and dense lawns harbor biting bugs, needing insect spray.