The Monastery of Santes Creus, founded in 1150, is a Cistercian abbey located in Tarragona, and is part of the Cistercian Route along with Poblet and Vallbona de les Monges. Construction began in 1158, following the Cistercian principles of austerity. The complex includes a church, a Gothic cloister, the chapter house, and other monastic buildings.
During the 13th century, under the patronage of King Peter III of Aragon, the monastery became a royal pantheon. It houses the tombs of Peter III, his son James II, and Blanca of Naples, which are of great artistic value. After the 1835 confiscation, the monastery was abandoned but was restored in the 20th century. Today, it is an important cultural and tourist site, showcasing Cistercian history and architecture in Catalonia. The cloister stands out as a masterpiece of Catalan Gothic, with its elegant arches and intricately carved capitals.
- Address
Plaça de Jaume el Just, s/n, Santes Creus, Tarragona - Web
https://patrimoni.gencat.cat/en/monuments/monumentos/royal-monastery-of-santes-creus - Visiting Hours
From Tuesday to Sunday from 10 a.m to 4 p.m. (Winter) and from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. (Summer). Monday closed - What to see
Cloister, Gothic chapels, Audiovisual production “The Cistercian World”
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