If you have read the famous book “The Da Vince Code” you like the Word of the Knights Templar. This church was one of the most especial place for this knights, especially for the Order of Santiago, it was a place to bury the most important members and leaders.

The Vilar church de Donas be linked to the Way of St James, since it was propriety of “the Way guardians”, the famous Order of the Santiago knights. It was declared National Monument in 1931.

The church is an example of Latin cross Romanesque, with three apses vaulted and crosses with vaulted ceiling. Inside we find several sepulcher of important knights of the Order of Santiago, and some gothic frescos well-preserved (despite it hasn’t made maintenance works).

HISTORY:
The church was a part of an old monastery, the monastery of Villar de Donas, which name provide whereof in the monastery only has women  (donas in gallician). The monastery was founded in the beginning of XII century by two women of the family Arias de Monterroso.
After passed to the propriety of the Order of Santiago, the order Templar manager of protect the Way of St James and the pilgrims. It was use to the burial of the knights of the Order of Santiago.

LOCATION:
The church of Vilar de Donas be placed near of the Way of St James, in the proximity of Palas de Rei (Lugo-Galicia province), in the region of A Ulloa.

If you want to visit the inside, there is a neighbor that has the keys and he will be the guide.

HOW ARRIVE:
To arrive to the church of Vilar de Donas from Palas de Rei you must take the road C-547 direction Lugo, to 5 kilometers there is a signposting drift in the left and in 1 Km you arrive to the church.