[Shrine of Virgen de La Barca] [Parish church of Santa Maria] [Monastery of Moraime] [Church of San Xiao de Moraime] [Monastery of Santa Maria de Ozon] [Church of San Martiño de Ozon] [Church of Santa Maria de Morquintian] [Church of San Cristovo de Nemiña] [Church of Santa Leocadia de Frixe] [Other Churches of interest]

MONASTERY OF MORAIME

Although there aren't any documents which prove the date in which it was built, it's thought that it was founded towards the end of the XI century. The first documented donation to this monastery belonging to the Orde Bieita (the Blessed Order) dates from 1095, and was made by Argido Pelaez (widow of Arias Perez), linked to the family of the Earls of Traba, who donated his family's monastery of San Xoan de Burneiro to this monastery (of Moraime) and to its abbot, Hodorio. At around the same time, Froila Perez, from the same family, donated to this same monastery, the village of Sarteguas (Berdoias-Dumbria) with its serfs who would become free at death.

In 1105 the Count of Traba, Don Pedro, gives a sum of money for its repair as it had been attacked by the Normans, an account which is recorded by Lopez Ferreiro in his "Historia Compostelana". Years later, towards 1115, it was again razed to the ground by Saracen raids. It was from this date onwards that the new church was built, and a new monastery annexed to its southern side. The building work was carried out thanks to the help given by King Alfonso VII, also documented in the "Historia Compostelana". This king favoured Moraime as a sign of gratitude for the help and support that the abbot Hodorio and his predecesssors had given him during his childhood and adolescence, while he was sheltered in the monastery, during the battles between his followers and those of his mother, Doña Urraca.

King Fernando II also makes donations to this monastery. The first was the area of Castro (Frixe-Muxia) in 1165, which he himself had inherited, and then ten years later the area of Merexo (Ozon-Muxia). After that, various kings re-confirmed these donations made by their predecessors to the monastery.

From the second half of the XIV century, Moraime begins to suffer lootings by the petite rural nobility, who slowly begin to appropriate themselves of its wealth, disobeying royal orders not to attack this monastery's property. It is in this way that the decay of Moraime is brought about.

Until 1489, the monastery depended on San Martiño Pinario; as proof of this dependance the coat of arms ( a tree and two shells) remains on the main façade of the church. During the reign of the Reyes Catolicos (the Catholic Monarchs) it went on to depend on the Royal monastery of San Bieito in Valladolid, as did other Galician monasteries.