Courtyard of the Crosses

The pilgrims arriving at the convent in search of spiritual comfort, in addition to physically alleviating some of the ailments they might suffer from, would do so by crossing the Courtyard of the Crosses, named so because of the three crosses erected in representation of Golgotha where Christ was crucified: one larger, at the centre to depict that of Christ, and the two others, smaller to represent the two men crucified alongside Him. To get there, it is first necessary to choose one of two routes that provide access through the two smaller crosses. The forcing of this choice evokes the concept of free will and the divine assistance in taking such choices. However, it is not possible to gain access through the largest cross, which conveys the concept of the inaccessibility of the path of Christ to mere humans as such is a divine route.

Access to the convent is made through the Boulder Gate, dissimulated between two large blocks of granite, where visitors would ring the bell to summon the Guardian Friar, holder of the keys to the convent, to come and open the door.