History

1149

First reliable document. The royal donation of Alfonso VII of León and Castile, who grants Mougás, Viladesuso and Pedornes to the monks of Oia.

1185

He joins the Cistercian Order.

1201

Royal Donation of Alfonso IX of León: the church of Baiona and the monastery’s exemption from paying tribute in its port. First allusion to the breeding of wild horses in the mountains of Oia.

1228

Alfonso IX of León donates the southernmost island of the Cíes Islands (San Martín).

1231

Ferdinand III of Castile, together with his wife Mrs. Beatriz and children, and with the consent of his mother Mrs. Berengaria of Castile, confirms all the inheritances, churches, donations, liberties and privileges that had been granted to the monastery of Santa María de Oia by Alfonso VII, Ferdinand II and Alfonso IX.

1280

Denis I, king of Portugal, takes the monks under his guard and protection along with all their properties in Portugal.

1547

Last Galician monastery to join the Congregation of Castile of the Cistercian Order, remaining thereafter under its control.

1624

Famous cannon fight against Turkish and Berber pirates. In recognition, King Philip IV grants them the title of Royal and Imperial Monastery of Oia.

1739

Completion of the two galleries or wings of the orange trees’ Courtyard.

1740

Completion of the new facade of the church (still present)

1835

Mendizabal sells the church lands. The monastery is auctioned in lots. It is purchased by a resident of Madrid, Fernando Fernández Casariego, for 200,000 reales.