In the very heart of Madrid, at Plaza Mayor, a unique Christmas market has opened. Until December 8, visitors can buy hundreds of products made by monks and nuns from more than 80 monasteries across Spain, France, and Portugal. From December 4 to 20, part of the assortment will also be available at the ABC Serrano building. This year, organizers are surprising guests not only with traditional sweets but also with modern cosmetics made using unique recipes.
The selection is impressively diverse: from creams based on propolis and honey to soaps with exotic oils and natural clays. Creams for sensitive skin, made from plants gathered in the forests of Galicia, are especially popular. You’ll also find shea butter soaps and products with red, green, and yellow clay, each offering its own unique benefits.
Gastronomic discoveries
Food lovers have plenty to explore: on the stands, classic Spanish sweets sit alongside unexpected delights. Among them: a cake with Japanese matcha tea, spiced macadamia balls, caramelized pistachios, cheese cookies, and even a morcilla spread. Traditional treats are abundant, too: polvorones, Estepa mantecados, marzipan, cakes inspired by Moroccan recipes, candied nuts, and panettone.
According to the organizers, polvorones remain the perennial bestsellers, but interest in unconventional flavors—such as orange jam with chocolate or strawberry with pepper—is growing every year. Shoppers note that many of these products can’t be found in regular stores, and the quality is always top-notch.
Youth and volunteers
The fair attracts not only connoisseurs of rare delicacies but also young people. More than two hundred volunteers, most of them young, are involved in organizing the event. This creates a unique atmosphere and draws new visitors who previously had little interest in monastic life. Organizers observe that, for many guests, the fair becomes the first step in discovering the history and traditions of monasteries.
Volunteers help not only with sales but also explain to visitors the origins of the products, the details of their production, and aspects of monastic life. Thanks to this, many guests gain a new perspective on the role of religious communities in contemporary Spain and even start considering trips to monasteries in other regions of the country.
Tradition and modernity
The organizers emphasize that for monks and nuns, making these products is not just a way to earn a living, but an integral part of their spiritual practice. Working in workshops and kitchens helps them support themselves and maintain their monasteries. According to participants, Spain is home to the world’s largest community of contemplative monks. Every third monk in the world lives here.
Many visitors are surprised to learn that monks brew their own beer, make cosmetics, and embrace modern culinary trends. For religious communities, this is not just a way to preserve traditions but also an opportunity to stay connected to society and share their knowledge and experience.
If you didn’t know, Fundación Contemplare is a non-profit organization founded by laypeople from various professions. Since 2018, it has been helping monasteries market their products and maintain financial independence. Thanks to the foundation’s efforts, monks and nuns are able not only to cover their expenses but also to preserve unique artisanal traditions. Every year, the fair attracts thousands of visitors and has become an important event for the entire capital.
