Carthusian Monastery of Escaladei

What you will find

The Carthusian Monastery of Escaladei stands at the end of a valley, nestling beneath the Montsant hills. In this quiet spot the Carthusian monks followed a way of life marked by silence and prayer, combining the solitude of the hermit with the shelter of community life.

The charterhouse was founded in 1194, thanks to a concession from Alfonso the Chaste in order to establish a settlement in recently conquered lands. Subsequent donations and purchases turned the charterhouse into great feudal lord, for it came to own a vast territory that coincided with the historical priory.

Escaladei was the first Carthusian Monastery on the peninsula and took part in the foundation of many later ones. The prestige and influence it enjoyed, with the revenue from its considerable estates, allowed Escaladei to live a period of splendour between the 16th and 17th centuries. That allowed the Carthusians to undertake a sweeping architectural refurbishment, decorated with works by the famous Escaladei school of religious painting.

From the first half of the 19th century the confiscation of lands belonging to the Church, combined with the looting that took place during the popular uprisings led to the abandonment and deep degradation of the complex. Now, however, the latest restoration work has brought part of that splendour to light. It can be seen in the recently opened area where community life went on.

Guia visita català

Guía de visita castellano

Tour guide English

Guide de visite Français

Guia visita aranès

Itineraris català

Plan your visit

Standard: €5
Concession: €3

Entitled to concessionary admission charge:

People aged 65 and over.
Pensioners.
Carnet Jove holders.
International Student Identity Card holders.
Large or single-parent family book 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.
Members of Associació Catalana de Crítics d'Art 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 between 1 October and 30 June
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.

NOTE: These times are now the ones in use. Please ignore any others published earlier on this or any other website or in informative leaflets and triptychs.

Last admission 30 minutes before closing time.

From Tuesday to Sunday, including public holidays

From 16 December to 28 February: from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. On December 24 and 31: from 10 a.m to 2 p.m.
From 1 March to 31 May: from 10 a.m. to 5.30 p.m.
- EASTERN OPENING TIMES (Last admission 30 minutes before clossing time)
- Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Monday from 10 a.m. to 5.30 p.m.
From 1 June to 30 September: from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
From 1 October to 15 December: from 10 a.m. to 5.30 p.m.

Closed on Mondays except public holidays, 25 and 26 December and 1 and 6 January.

Guided tours for individuals

Activities for the general public. Check out our guided tours program in the highlights section or ask for more information on tel. 977638556 or e-mail to reservesmonuments.acdpc@gencat.cat

Guided tours for groups

Visits for groups or individuals who wish a private visit with one of the guides of the monument. You can make the booking of your visit on tel.: 977638557 or e-mail reservesmonuments.acdpc@gencat.cat

Reservations from Tuesday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Instructions for making bookings and for guided tours at the Charterhouse of Escaladei.

Pets are not allowed inside the monument.

The facilities are not equipped for people with disabilities

Parc Natural de la Serra del Montsant

Turisme del Priorat

Ajuntament de Morera de Montsant

Turisme del Priorat