On December 20, 1164, the widow of the Noble Vela Gutiérrez, Doña Sancha Ponce, transferred to the Cistercian Order of Santa María de Moreruela all the possessions and belongings of the territory of Nogales in hereditary right so that they could build another monastery that would be called Santa María from Nogales. From this moment and until the monks abandoned the monastery, in the mid-19th century, the Eria Region was governed according to the guidelines of the Order.
This settlement established the model of repopulation and new management at all levels; social, cultural, agricultural and economic. At the same time it marked the appearance of the Villa de Nogales, which was initially made up of the servants and servants of the Monks. Without a sumptuous construction, Santa María de Nogales is located according to the criteria of the Cistercian order: a valley of fertile lands, abundance of water, and impressive solitude. For more than seven centuries it stood out for being the cradle of great men, an emporium of letters and science, where royal advisors and professors for the University of Alcalá emerged.
Currently, only the ruins and remains of its greatness remain: scattered walls, the belfry of the Church and the main entrance arch with its heraldic shield. However, the surrounding area, fertile orchard, abundant vegetation, fruit trees and the waters of the Eria River, invite you to relax, contemplate and enjoy nature.