Monastery of Buenafuente del Sistal: Cistercian nuns since 1246

Eight centuries of monastic life

Following the Christian reconquest of the Molina and Sigüenza lands, Alfonso VIII sought to resettle and protect the territory. That effort gave rise to this sanctuary, which has housed a community of enclosed contemplative nuns since 1246 without interruption.

Austere architecture

The arrival of the nuns brought building works to adapt the earlier Romanesque church to the simplicity of Cistercian architecture. The church, dating from the late 13th century, is spare and restrained, having changed very little since.

Please respect its enclosed, contemplative character. Very close by is the Buenafuente viewpoint, overlooking one of the wildest stretches of the Tagus.