it has its origin in xàbia. in 1374 pope gregory xi authorized the foundation of a monastery to the hermit of xàbia, who belonged to the hiernymite order. the duke alfonso of aragon granted the grounds to the building. the monastery was attacked by pirates in 1387. therefore, the monks feared to return there. for that reason in 1388 alfonso of aragon bought the territories of cotalba from the muslims, which were more protected and he donated them to the hieronmyte monks of xàbia. they moved to cotalba and alfonso of aragon founded the monastery in 1388. in 1388 alfonso of aragon and foix, royal duke of gandia, constructed a fortress to protect the monastics from attacks by berber pirates. tradition claims saint vincent ferrer preached publicly from the monastery. the father, pere march, and the two wives of the well-known valencian medieval poet ausiàs march are buried in this monastery.