Travel Article March 2017
Ancient Spanish Monastery
North Miami Florida
Trend Magazine Online™

The project was deemed the "World's biggest jigsaw puzzle" by Time Magazine. Colonel Robert Pentland, Jr.; a wealthy banker, philanthropist, and benefactor of many churches, purchased the Cloisters in 1964 for the Episcopal Diocese of Florida after it failed as a tourist attraction. The structure today is once again a tourist attraction that now sees over 50,000 visitors' per year; operates as an active Episcopal (Anglican, Church of England) congregation, and is a venue for weddings, quinceaneras (Latin girl's 15^th birthday); photo shoots, as well as a set for filming television, movies (Ace Ventura Pet Detective [1994], Rock of Ages [2012]), and music videos (Cristian Castro, Natalie Jimenez).

Our personally guided tour began with an overview of how this place was literally moved from Spain to North Miami Beach while in the main building's lobby. We also learned that the original church was still in Spain and that this structure was the old living quarters for the monks who were self-sustaining according to our guide. In addition, we were introduced to King Alphonso VII (1104? - 1157) and told how he won the victory over the Spanish Moors who are Moroccan and formerly a member of the Muslim population which is now Spain and Portugal. They are of mixed Arab, Spanish, and Amazigh (Berber, pre-Arab inhabitants of North Africa) origins that created the Arab Andalusian civilization who subsequently settled as refugees in Northern Africa between the 11^th and 17^th Centuries. The Europeans depicted them as Black, "swarty," or "tawny," in skin color from the Middles Ages (5^th Century C.E. [Common Era]) to the 17^th Century.

We were then taken into the courtyard between the main building and the monastery and treated to tidbits about the entranceway and gardens that were featured in the hit movie Ace Ventura Pet Detective as mentioned earlier was partly filmed on site. Our guide told us about the many different events that took place here such as weddings, photo shoots, and birthday parties. Next we entered the Monastery area where we learned that quite a few of the arched-framed doors were like the ones in The Magic Kingdom in that they did not lead to another room. We were shown the mason's marks on some of the stonework that provided instructions on how this place came together. There were also coats of arms of various important families that were each different but they all displayed a majestic bird on top. We also saw a statue of King Alphonso VII and his grandson which was situated on the other side of the building.

From there we headed into the chapel area where we were told to check out the bathrooms. What a coincidence because I was planning on doing that anyway. Smile! There were these end tables full of candles that our guide said were used as a votive during church services. This area is also where the crypts are housed as part of the wall. We toured on a Sunday morning as such were able to witness part of the Episcopal service ending and the next one beginning. They actually have three, our guide said, including one en espanol. The cool thing about their service is that the chapel is equipped with central air, as opposed to the early days.

We rounded our personal tour with another walk through the gardens to see some of the names of folks inscribed into the bricks at the west end of the garden, as well as a cat taking a nap. Some of the event planners that use the site, we were told, can be pretty creative in terms of bringing in all sorts of props to enhance the guest's experience. We ended our tour back in the main building and were given an opportunity to stay longer to take photographs. Well, I am quite adept at multitasking and had already snapped all of the pics that I needed for this article during our personally-guided professional tour by Ms. Washington. Besides, it was a football Sunday and some of us diehard fans needed to find a couch, TV screen, and beer before the second half of the early game.

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