St Estevo's monastry is soaked, if not drenched in an almost palpable vale of spirituality, calm and peace. In reference to calm and peace, a Japanese friend once explained to me how important moss was in Japanese culture as it was seen as a source of inner tranquility. Perhaps this emanates from its slow growing and its quiet ability to just be there, come rain or shine. Walls like this, with moss and ivy, are everywhere here.