The situation surrounding the monastery in Belorado has become one of the most talked-about topics in Spain. The decision of the religious community to leave the building before the official eviction date was driven by a desire to avoid a public scandal and maintain their dignity. For many Spaniards, this case has shown how quickly the fate of even the most secluded communities can change when court rulings and internal conflicts come into play.
The nuns have already started packing and moving their belongings out of the monastery, not waiting for March 12—the date when a court order required them to leave. According to El Confidencial, the community’s lawyers, including Florentino Aláez and Enrique García de Viedma, will handle the handover of keys and formal exit procedures. However, the nuns themselves plan to leave earlier to avoid running into journalists and attracting the attention of the cameras that are already stationed at the monastery gates.
Searching for a new refuge
For now, the question of new housing remains unresolved. According to community representative Francisco Canals, the nuns are considering several options in Galicia and Asturias, but none have been confirmed. The main challenge is not just moving their personal belongings but also transporting the animals they care for. In the days leading up to the court’s rejection of their eviction delay request, the nuns launched the campaign ‘Queremos un convento’ to find a new home. This initiative received a countrywide response, with about 40 offers, but very few suitable options have emerged.
Since a permanent place has not yet been found, some belongings are being temporarily stored with relatives. The next step will be moving to the monastery in Orduña, where the nuns can stay for a few days. However, this is only a temporary solution: the building in Orduña is also subject to an eviction court order, though the dates have not yet been set. Some of the former sisters may stay with their families for now to avoid repeating the traumatic experience of eviction.
Final days at the monastery
Inside the monastery, there is currently a flurry of cleaning and packing. According to Francisco Canals, the nuns are working almost non-stop to leave the building in perfect condition. They want to avoid a new wave of criticism that has already arisen in the past. Their plan is to hold a farewell mass as a symbolic end to their life in Belorado. This ceremony will be private, limited to a close circle, to protect their personal space and avoid unwanted attention.
The decision to leave before the official deadline is driven not only by a desire to avoid publicity, but also by an effort to preserve dignity. According to russpain.com, such cases are becoming increasingly common in Spain: religious communities are being forced to leave historic buildings due to legal disputes or financial difficulties. In recent years, similar stories have occurred in various regions of the country, where monasteries and churches have changed hands or closed down due to a lack of funds for maintenance.
Reflecting on recent events, it’s worth noting that in 2025, several monasteries in Castilla y León were also forced to close following court decisions. In Galicia and Asturias, religious communities faced similar challenges: searching for new housing, dispersing to different cities, and temporary stays with relatives. These stories show that even traditional institutions are not immune to change, and the fate of religious groups often depends on external circumstances and court rulings.
