Have you seen the three royal monasteries of Catalonia? Poblet, Santes Creus and Vallbona, three amazing and unique monumental sites, both for their architectural beauty and for their spiritual essence. They are located on the Cistercian Route and you can now visit all three with a single admission pass. The combined ticket, which is valid for a full year, also allows you to visit other museums and monuments in the region.
MONASTERY OF SANTES CREUSYou may wish to begin your tour with a visit to the
Monastery of Santes Creus, one of the best conserved Cistercian monastic complexes, which accommodated the first group of monks of this religious order in Catalonia. Here you will see the royal tombs of King Peter III of Aragon, King James II and his wife, Blanche of Anjou, as well as that of Admiral Roger of Lauria.
MONASTERY OF SANTA MARIA DE POBLETAs the largest monastery of the Cistercian Route and one of the foremost monasteries in Europe, the
Monastery of Santa Maria de Poblet earned its World Heritage status from UNESCO in 1991. Located just a 30-minute drive from the Monastery of Santes Creus, this is a striking architectural site that King Peter II of Aragon converted into the royal pantheon of the dynasty.
MONASTERY OF VALLBONA DE LES MONGESA half hour’s drive from Poblet will bring you to the
Monastery of Vallbona de les Monges, the only nuns’ monastery on the Cistercian Route and the only monastery that has accommodated the religious community uninterruptedly —except in times of war— for more than 850 years. This monastery offers visitor
lodging on certain days of the week.
The combined admission pass can be purchased at any of the three monasteries, as well as at the
Ruta del Cister website. Check conditions
here .
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