Few People Know The Iconic Spanish Monastery In Florida Was Actually Imported From Spain

As far as history goes, Florida has quite a few different places where you can indulge your inner historian. One perfect example is the Ancient Spanish Monastery in North Miami Beach. This iconic building, known as the oldest building in the western hemisphere, is a popular tourist site with a twist that might surprise people. This monastery was brought over in crates from Spain by the United States!

The Florida Heritage Site known as the Ancient Spanish Monastery, has a history that dates back to the 12th century.

Construction of the Monastery of St. Bernard de Clairvaux began in 1133 AD and was completed eight years later.

Reportedly the oldest European-constructed building in the Western Hemisphere, this monastery was initially built in Sacramenia, a municipality of Segovia, and brought over by William Randolph Hearst in 1924.

The structure was dismantled stone by stone, bound by protective hay, and then packed in over 11,000 wooden crates, each with its own numbered identification.

Unfortunately, Hearst ran into financial problems, which caused him to sell a majority of the collection at auction. The massive crates were in a warehouse for over 25 years before being purchased by two entrepreneurs for us as a tourist attraction.

The project to reassemble the building, what Time magazine declared to be the “biggest jigsaw puzzle in history,” took over 19 months and the equivalent of $20 million to reassemble.

Today, visitors can explore the Ancient Spanish Monastery during open hours, which vary month-by-month.

You can even check the monastery’s calendar of events for when you can tour the area for free with paid admission.

Did you know the history behind the Ancient Spanish Monastery in Florida? Have you ever visited this building and explored the grounds? Make sure to let us know about your experience in the comments section! Or if you're looking for more information about visiting, including the current dates open to the public, then visit the Ancient Spanish Monastery website.

If history in Florida is something that excites you then fear not - there is way more to come. Check out this ultimate guide to the Dry Tortugas to hear all about the historic Fort Jefferson.