Colegio de Nuestra Señora de la Antigua and its Grecos

The building you can see from anywhere in Monforte, on the flat ground beside the river Cabe: a school with a Herrerian façade of more than 100 metres that, because of its size, is called the Galician Escorial. It is also known as the Cardinal's College, for the man who had it built, and the College of the Society, for the Jesuits who ran it. Today it is run by the Piarists. The guided visit enters the church and the museum in the former sacristy, with paintings by El Greco and Andrea del Sarto.

Its history

It was built between the late 16th and early 17th centuries by Cardinal Rodrigo de Castro, to provide education for the area and all of Galicia. It was run by the Society of Jesus and, from 1873, by the Piarists. The complex occupies a large esplanade in the centre of the town: the school, the church of Nosa Señora da Antiga, the cloister and the museum.

What you see

The guided visit tours the façade, the monumental staircase, the cloister, the church and the museum-picture gallery. In the church the walnut high altarpiece stands out, by Francisco de Moure from the early 17th century, and the bronze statue of the cardinal, by Juan de Bolonia (Xoán de Boloña). The museum, in the former sacristy, holds a small collection donated by the cardinal himself: books, documents and liturgical vestments, and above all a picture gallery with two oil paintings by El Greco and five panels by Andrea del Sarto.

Hours and entry

It can only be seen on a guided visit. In November 2026, according to the municipal guide, there are slots on Friday at 16:45, Saturday at 11:30, 12:45 and 16:45, and Sunday at 12:45 and 16:45. Entry costs €5. Hours change with the season: in summer there are more slots on weekdays. Confirm on 667 925 072; the foundation that manages the visits also answers on 982 023 495 and at [email protected]. The entrance is at Praza da Compañía 50.

How to combine it

It is on the flat ground, ten minutes' walk from the centre and the Wine Centre. In the morning, the boat through the canyon; in the afternoon, the 16:45 slot and a stroll through the Jewish quarter and the old bridge over the Cabe. If you are with children, the Railway Museum is also in Monforte. To sleep, the Parador de Monforte occupies the former San Vicente do Pino monastery at the top of the town.