Monastery of San Esteban de Ribas de Sil

This Benedictine monastery, now converted into a Parador hotel, is one of Galicia's monastic centres and a highlight of any tourist itinerary. It is located in the heart of the Ribeira Sacra, an area of unique natural beauty at the convergence of the Miño and Sil rivers. The monastery is known to have existed in the 10th century, although its origins may go back as far as the 6th or 7th century. Its styles range from the Romanesque to the Baroque, and its three cloisters (Romanesque, Gothic and Renaissance) are particularly outstanding. The building was declared a Historic/Artistic Monument in 1923.