Igrexa de Codosedo, Sarreaus

The Church of Codosedo is a Romanesque church located on the left bank of the drained Antela Lagoon, at the foot of Mount Talariño, about 100 metres from the centre of the municipality to which it belongs, which is Sarreaus.

It was the only female monastery of the Order of Santiago in Galicia, although its existence was very brief (from 1175-1180 to the middle of the 13th century). It was later treated as an independent church of the Order and, today, it is a parish church.

Of this monastery complex, only part of the church, with its single, wide and high nave, has survived. This church was built at the beginning of the 13th century. Despite the transformations over the centuries, it retains much of its Romanesque essence and represents a very valuable witness to Galician medieval architecture.

The church maintained its original state until the 17th century, when the tower was erected on the southwest corner of the western façade. In the 18th century, the original apse was replaced by a larger Baroque apse. In the 19th century, the main doorway underwent significant changes and today three semicircular flared arches form part of the façade, with a semicircular tympanum resting on mouldings decorated with stylised plant motifs.

Although the monastic outbuildings have now disappeared, historical witnesses allow us to imagine the original layout of the place.