CATALONIA MEDIEVAL: SANT JOAN DE LES ABADESSES

After spending a pleasant morning in Camprodon we went to Sant Joan de les Abadesses to visit one of the most important monasteries in Catalunya. Since I was a child I had heard much of this monastery in school, so I really wanted to visit it since long time ago.

The romanesque monastery of Sant Joan de les Abadesses was founded in 887 by Guifré el Pilós for his daughter Emma and the religious community that gave its name to the municipality. It's actually an austere building situated on a sheltered square in the centre of the town. However, it played, together with the one of Santa Maria de Ripoll, a major role in the shaping of Catalonia.

In addition to the architectural characteristics of the monastery, which has always been shrouded in mystery, its importance stems from the sculptures it contains. Some of the most important are the Descent from the Cross, seven figures in polychrome wood, in an almost natural format, that date back to the 12th century and the Gothic alabaster altarpiece of Santa Maria la Blanca, from the 14th century, amongst others.

Next I would like to show you some pictures I took the day I visited this monastery.

Bell tower of the church of Sant Joan de les Abadesses monastery from the gothic cloister

We visited the gothic cloister of Sant Joan de les Abadesses monastery in the evening. As there were few people, it was a really peaceful place. I really enjoy this calmness the time I was there

Another view of the lovely cloister of Sant Joan de les Abadesses monastery

Detail of the capitals of the gothic archs in the cloister of Sant Joan de les Abadesses monastery

Inside the romanesque church of Sant Joan de les Abadesses monastery

The altar of the church of Sant Joan de les Abadesses monastery

Flowers on the altar of the church of Sant Joan de les Abadesses monastery

Santa Maria la Blanca inside the church of Sant Joan de les Abadesses monastery

A detail of an sculpture I saw near the altar of the church of the Sant Joan de les Abadesses monastery

Capilla de los Dolors, a baroque chapel inside the monastery of Sant Joan de les Abadesses

Romanesque apse of the church of Sant Joan de les Abadesses monastery

Besides, in Sant Joan de les Abadesses it's possible to do many tourist activities, like Rutes de Senderisme (for exemple Ruta del Ferro i del Carbó Ripoll - Sant Joan de les Abadesses - Ogassa) or interesting guided visits. 

You can also discover other beautiful villages like Beget, which we visited after spending a nice time in Sant Joan de les Abadesses.

Next you have some useful information in case you want to visit this beautiful monastery:

- Timetable for non-guided visit:

• March to October: Monday to Sunday from 10am to 14pm and from 16pm to 18pm (May to September until 19pm) July: Monday to Sunday from 10am to 19pm.
• November to February: Monday to Friday from 10am to 14pm; Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays from 10am to 14pm and from 16pm to 18pm
• Meeting point: Abbot's Palace - Tourist Office.

- For further information:

• www.terradecomtes.cat/es/sant-joan-de-les-abadesses
• Sant Joan de les Abadesses Tourist Office, Phone (00 34) 972 72 05 99

We visited Sant Joan de les Abadesses during a trip we took to the valleys of Núria and Camprodon. On this three days trip we also visited:

- Day 1: Vall de Camprodon

• Camprodon
• Sant Joan de les Abadesses
• Beget

- Day 2: Vall de Núria

• Camí Vell de Núria
• Santuari de Núria

- Day 3: More Pyrenees

• Fonts del Llobregat
• Castellar de N'Hug

If you liked Sant Joan de les Abadesses, maybe you would be interested in visiting the nearby Santa Maria de Ripoll Monastery. Other interesting monasteries in Catalunya are: 

• Santa Maria de Poblet Monastery
• Santes Creus Monastery
• Vallbona de les Monges Monastery
• Montserrat Abbey
• Sant Pere de Rodes Monastery
• Pedralbes Monastery in Barcelona
• Sant Miquel del Fai
• Sant Cugat Monastery

Besides Sant Joan de les Abadesses is located in the Pyrenees, where you can visit other fantastic places, like:

• Aigüestortes National Park and La Vall de Boí
• Aigüestortes and Llac de Sant Maurici National Park
• Vall de Núria and  Santuari de Núria
• Castellar de N'Hug and Fonts del Llobregat
• Vall de Camprodon
• Camprodon, Ripoll and Setcases
• Medieval village of Beget
• Olot and Vall de'n Bas
• Santa Pau
• Port del Comte
• Puigcerdà

• Andorra and La Seu d'Urgell

Finally, clicking on the next link you can see more pictures of the other places we visited during the days we spent in La Vall de Nuria and La Vall de Camprodon. These valleys are two of the most beautiful environments in Catalunya.