Monasterio Santa María la Real de las Huelgas

The Monasterio de Santa María la Real de las Huelgas is an abbey of Cistercian nuns (Cistercian Order, Congregation of Castile) in Valladolid, Spain. It was founded in 1282 by Queen María de Molina, who donated her own palace, located outside the city walls, for the construction of the monastery. It was in operation shortly before the death of its founder in 1320.

Since the 19th century, the community has run a school, now known as the Colegio Santa María la Real de Huelgas, covering early childhood through secondary education, directed by the nuns. The school embraces a pedagogy inspired by Cistercian spirituality: interiority, simplicity, and community life. The sources consulted make no mention of retreatant hospitality.