Lignum Crucis

Relic of the True Cross of Christ

Santo Toribio de Liebana Monastery

The Door of Pardon, Santo Toribio de Liebana

Santo Toribio Monastery

The Monastery of Santo Toribio of Liebana stands alongside Jerusalem, Rome, Santiago de Compostela and Caravaca de la Cruz as one of only five places with the privilege to celebrate a “Holy Year”, granted by a Papal Bull from Julius II in 1512.

A Holy year is celebrated when the Saint’s day falls on a Sunday, 2006 being such a year. Celebrations begin on the feast day of Santo Toribio, 16th April, when, with great pomp and ceremony, the Puerta del Perdon (the Door of Pardon) will be opened. The pilgrim, passing through this door, is absolved of all sin according to the Papal Bull.

The reason for this extraordinary privilege is that the Monastery guards the “Lignum Veneris” the largest known piece of the Cross on which Jesus Christ was crucified, brought here in the 7th century by Santo Toribio to protect it from possible capture by the moors.

The Monastery of Santo Toribio was founded in the 8th.century during the reign of King Alfonso I, although it is thought to have existed several centuries before. The relic of the True Cross was brought from Jerusalem to Astorga by Santo Toribio, during the threat of the Persian´s invasion; there, in its natal town it stayed until, most probably, due to the Arabs´ invasion in 711, it was transferred to the monastery in Liébana together with the dead body of Santo Toribio and other relics which the saint brought from Jerusalem. 

Santo Toribio, was a preacher in the region of Palencia during the 7th. century and retired to the mountains of Liébana with a group of companions. He transferred the "Lignum Crucis" - the largest existing relic of the Cross - to the monastery. and housed in the "Lignum Crucis" Chapel. This is the biggest remaining fragment of the cross upon which Christ died.