Explore the Botanical Gardens at the Ancient Spanish Monastery
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The Ancient Spanish Monastery has been a cherished museum, attracting visitors from around the globe. This historic site, once home to medieval monks in northern Spain, offers a deep connection to the past, captivating those curious about life in the Middle Ages, the Knights Templar, and European history.
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Our 12th-century monastery, showcasing both Romanesque and pre-Gothic architecture, provides a unique window into history. Beyond the historic buildings, visitors can enjoy the tranquil, park-like atmosphere of our gardens, now recognized as a certified National Wildlife Habitat™.
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In our ongoing efforts to enhance and update the gardens, the Foundation has partnered with the Fairchild Million Orchid Project in its effort to reintroduce native orchids back into South Florida.
The Foundation also is funding the creation of a Botanical Garden at the Spanish Monastery, with its primary focus on planting native botanical species to further enrich the diversity of our grounds. The mission of these projects is to preserve and maintain the ancient structure and its gardens.
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We invite you to explore this serene and historic sanctuary, where nature and history intertwine.
The Ancient Spanish Monastery Foundation is collaborating with the ‘Fairchild Million Orchid Project’ to reintroduce native orchids to the Monastery’s grounds.
The Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden is planting rare, native orchids throughout South Florida, bringing back species that grew here more than a century ago. Thousands of local school children, volunteers, and scientists are working together to propagate, plant, and protect the new orchids. The Ancient Spanish Monastery Foundation is proud to collaborate with the Fairchild as part of this project.
According to Marjorie Dean, President of the Ancient Spanish Monastery Foundation, the Million Orchid Project (MOP) has successfully planted over 500,000 orchids in South Florida to reestablish one million plants in the region. Dean points to Ms. Anna Luna (Director) and Dr. Jason Downing as the creators and facilitators of the ambitious project. “It’s been a great experience for all of us to work with them,” says Dean. “MOP is now the largest outreach program focused on orchids in the world and the Foundation is proud to be partnering with them.”
The Ancient Spanish Monastery Foundation is funding the Spanish Monastery's Botanical Garden Project and the Million Orchid Project, along with the Labyrinth Stewardship Program in its mission to preserve and maintain the ancient structure and gardens. Dean expresses her gratitude to Maria Furey, the Foundation’s horticulturalist, who also serves as the Chair of the City of North Miami Beach’s Beautification Committee.
Dean also credits the work of team members Edison Larios and Pamela Richburg-Smith. The reintroduction of native plants, such as these orchids, is part of a larger project of the Foundation to create a small botanical garden on the Monastery’s grounds. Dean explains, “As Miami and South Florida become more urbanized, botanical gardens are increasingly recognized as cultural resources for communities giving them access to the natural environment and green spaces.
With thousands of tourists visiting the Monastery each year, a botanical garden and the Million Orchid Project are the perfect fit.” Future projects include forest bathing, an educational pollinator garden and a medieval herb garden. The Ancient Spanish Monastery Foundation is a 501(c)3 non-profit and your donations may be tax deductible. For more information or to donate, please contact Marjorie Dean, President, Ancient Spanish Monastery Foundation, (305) 610-3567, md@AncientSpanishMonasteryFoundation.org, www.SpanishMonasteryFoundation.com