Nearly nine centuries have passed since a group of monks crossed the Pyrenees to reach the banks of the Gaià River with the mission of founding a new Cistercian monastery in the border territories recently conquered by the Catalan counties.
Delve into the history of the Royal Monastery of Santes Creus with a guided tour of the current monument, one of the great Cistercian treasures in Catalonia. Accompanied by a knowledgeable guide, we will explore the evolution of the monastery from its foundation in the 12th century to its abrupt abandonment in the mid-19th century, its destruction, and subsequent restoration as a historical monument.
The tour will also allow us to experience firsthand an exceptional example of Cistercian architecture, austere and harmonious, designed for a community dedicated to Benedictine rigor. Wandering through its spaces, we will understand how the monks lived, devoted to prayer and work, in accordance with the Cistercian maxim: Ora et labora (pray and work).
Santes Creus is not only stone and silence, but also ostentation and a memory linked to royal power. During the visit, we will admire the pantheon where key figures in the history of the Crown of Aragon rest, such as King Peter the Great, his son James II along with his wife Blanche of Anjou (or of Naples), as well as Margaret of Prades, one of the last queens associated with the monastery.
A highlight of the visit will be the cloister, a true jewel of Gothic architecture in southern Europe. After meticulous restoration—which guides and visitors have both endured and closely followed for over two years—we can now fully appreciate it with new and comprehensive explanations that reveal the meaning of its sculptural scenes, rich in symbolism and detail.Finally, we will discover the essential role of Santes Creus in the region during the medieval period: a monastery established on the banks of the Gaià River, within the context of the repopulation of the former border of the Catalan counties, which amassed a vast patrimony of lands and rights, becoming a center of economic and spiritual power of the first order.
OPENING HOURS OF THE MONASTERY OF SANTES CREUS :
Tuesday to Saturday:
From October 1st to April 30th: 10:00 am to 5:30 pm
From May 1st to September 30th: 10:00 am to 7:00 pm
Sundays and public holidays: 10:00 am to 3:00 pm all year round.
Closed on non-holiday Mondays, and on December 25th and 26th, and January 1st and 6th.
The ticket office and entrance close 30 minutes before the stated closing time.
ADMISSION FEES TO THE MONASTERY WITHOUT THE GUIDED TOUR:
Standard: €7
Concession: €5
Entitled to concessionary admission charge:
- People aged 65 and over.
- Pensioners.
- Carnet Jove holders.
- International Student Identity card holders.
- Large or single-parent family card holders.
- Groups of ten or more people who are not tourists. If any of the persons entitled to free admission continues to enjoy this rate.
- Members of Carnet Artesà upon presentation of proof of their status.
- People holding the “RCat (Recercat)” card, upon presentation of proof of their status.
- Members of Associació Catalana de Crítics d'Art upon presentation of proof of their status.
- Members of the “Catalan Association for Heritage Education”, upon presentation of proof of their status.
- Members of CRAC. Conservadors-Restauradors Associats de Catalunya upon presentation of proof of their status.
Entitled to free admission:
- Children aged under 16.
- Unemployed people upon presentation of proof of their status.
- Accredited members of the ICOM (International Council of Museums) or ICOMOS (International Council of Monuments).
- Accredited members of the Associació de Museòlegs de Catalunya.
- Accredited professional tourist guides upon presentation of proof of their status.
- Official education teachers, accredited by the management of the educational centre. Only valid teaching staff cards will be accepted.
- Accredited members of the press visiting in the course of their duties who have provided prior notification of their visit in writing.
- Disabled people upon presentation of a certificate confirming their disabled status. The accompanying person will also have free admission.
- Foster families upon presentation of proof of their status.
- School parties (pupils in the general education system and special education with teaching staff) with a prior booking.
- Teachers who work in the Consorci per a la Normalització Lingüística, upon presentation of proof of their status.
Special cases:
- Free admission on the last Tuesday of every month.
- Groups that book through a tourism-related agency, operator or similar company will benefit from a 25% reduction on the applicable admission rate. The authorised guide or person accompanying the group will be given free admission.
MEETING POINT: Admission office and book shop of the monastery of Santes Creus.
DURATION OF THE TOUR: 2 hours
USEFUL INFORMATION ABOUT THE GUIDED TOUR:
- Illustrated materials that enhance your understanding of the visit.
- The guided tour is suitable for people with reduced mobility, except for the former dormitory and the monks' cemetery.
- The tour includes an audiovisual presentation about the monastic world, based on the Cistercian order. (Duration: 20 minutes)
- There are restrooms opposite the reception/shop at the entrance to the monumental complex.
EXTRAS: This activity can be combined with other visits to monuments, towns, or wineries in the region. Please contact us for more information.
