SHORT HISTORY

The monastery was established in 1150, but its buildings are from the 17th century. The first possession date of the area of Santes Creus in the valley of the Gaià river is 1158. For many years there was a dispute between the Bishop of Barcelona and the archbishop of Tarragona regarding the monastery, in consequence it was excluded from any diocese.

The monastery was protected by the noblemen and the kings, and it became a spiritual, study and land colonization center.
The monastery was abandoned in 1835 and experienced destruction for a long time. In 1921 it was declared national monument, in 1931 a patronage was set up and it has been restored.

DESCRIPTION

The monastic ensemble outstands for its church, of sober and imposing architecture, with a Romanesque porch with a large Gothic window. The plan is a latin cross and is closed behind the altar and baroque altar-piece (17th century) with a large rose window. Near the altar are the graves of Pere the 2nd and Jaume the 2nd.

The monastery has 2 cloisters, that of the tourist entrance is Gothic, belonging to the 14th century and has an elegant sculped decoration.

The capitular hall, the scriptorium and the large monks’ dormitory are also worth visiting.
It is one of the largest and best maintained cistercian monastery ensembles