Legend: Ermelo Monastery

Once upon a time...

In ancient times, in the heart of Asturias, reigned a king, Ordoño II, father of a devout and pious princess, Dona Urraca. This princess dreamed of creating a sacred place, a monastery, where prayer and meditation could flourish, surrounded by the beauty of nature and the tranquility of the valleys. This dream was the basis for one of the most enchanting legends in Portuguese history, the Legend of the Monastery of Ermelo .

Princess Urraca was deeply committed to religion. A protector of churches and convents, she dedicated her life to spreading the Christian faith. One day, reflecting on her desire to serve God, she made an important decision: to found a monastery. She wanted a secluded, silent place where religious life could flourish in harmony with nature. With the blessing of her father, King Ordoño II, Princess Urraca embarked on a journey through mountains and valleys, searching for the ideal location to realize her dream. Her search led her to the Peneda-Gerês National Park , more precisely to the majestic Serra de Soajo , where silence and spiritual peace seemed to flow in the air. An imposing landscape, with serene streams and mountains that invited reflection. There, Princess Urraca found the perfect place for the monastery, with everything she had imagined: fertile land, abundant water, enchanted forests, and many wild animals.

Full of enthusiasm, Princess Urraca hurried to her father's court to tell him about the place she had chosen. Upon hearing her, King Ordoño II remained silent, thoughtful. When he finally asked her what could be seen from the heights of the place, the princess described a vast and magnificent horizon. To the south, the towers of Braga Cathedral; to the north, the cathedrals of Tuy and Ourense; to the west, the beaches where the waves crashed fiercely against the shore; and to the east, the fields and hills where flocks grazed and warriors rode. The king, though admiring the grandeur of the view, was not satisfied. He did not want to invest so much in such an immense and vast project. "My daughter, I would very much like to fulfill your desire to serve God," said the king, "but I cannot dedicate half my kingdom to this monastery. The horizon is too vast. Find a more contained location, a less vast space."

With a heavy heart, but determined not to abandon her project, Queen Urraca decided to look for a new location near the one she had chosen. Instead of building the monastery on the mountaintop, where the landscape was vast and imposing, she opted for a more discreet place. She discovered a deep and silent valley, almost hidden by the density of the forests. There, where the river whispered in secret and solitude reigned, Queen Urraca ordered the monastery to be built. This place, far from curious eyes and grand vistas, reflected the true essence of her desire: a spiritual retreat, a place for prayer and contemplation without distractions. Thus was born the Monastery of Ermelo, which received its name in homage to the peace and solitude of the wilderness where it was erected.

The Monastery of Ermelo became a symbol of the unwavering faith and dedication of Princess Urraca. Although King Ordoño II initially rejected the grand location his daughter had chosen, the princess followed her heart and built a place that, over the centuries, would become an icon of Portuguese religious history. The monastery not only preserved the memory of its foundation but also symbolized the power of determination and the pursuit of true spirituality.

The legend of the Monastery of Ermelo teaches us that sometimes true peace and fulfillment are not found in great achievements or vast horizons, but in the simplest, most discreet, and profound places. Like Queen Urraca, we can all find our own "Ermelo," a refuge where we can live our faith and tranquility, far from the distractions of the world.