martes, 14 de noviembre de 2017

CATALONIA MEDIEVAL: ABBEYS AND MONASTERIES


Today I would like to speak about a kind of religious building I like a lot: abbeys and monasteries. In Catalonia there are many monasteries and some of them are really important. Actually, some of these monasteries are references of the architectural style in which they are built.


I like visiting abbeys because they are great exemples of the medieval art in Catalonia and of two architectural styles I like: the romanesque and gothic styles. Besides, when I enter a monastery, I enjoy the peace and calmness I feel walking inside this kind of places and its environment.

Next you can see the more important abbeys and monasteries you can visit in Catalonia:



In brackets the century when were founded.

Without any doubt, some of the most important abbeys in Catalonia are the ones of Ripoll, Montserrat, Poblet and Santes Creus. The most beautiful ones for me: Ripoll and Poblet Monasteries.


Besides, there is a route connecting three of the monasteries listed above: Santes Creus, Poblet and Vallbona de les Monges. This route is called La Ruta del Cister (The Cistercian Route) and its name comes from the artistic and cultural heritage of these three Cistercian monasteries.


Ripoll Monastery



Cloister of Ripoll Monastery in Catalonia
Typical romanesque archs of the two-storey cloister of Ripoll Monastery


Church of the benedictine Ripoll monastery
Inside the romanesque church of the benedictine Ripoll monastery


Ripoll monastery in Catalonia
Ripoll monastery, cradle of Catalan culture, with the catalan flag on top of the bell tower


Montserrat Abbey


Montserrat Abbey in Catalonia
Bell tower of Montserrat Abbey, one of the most important symbols of the Catalan Culture as well as a bastion of resistance against the dictatorship


Gothic cloister of the benedictine Montserrat Abbey
Gothic cloister of the benedictine Montserrat Abbey with Montserrat mountains behind it


Sant Joan de les Abadesses Abbey



Romanesque church of Sant Joan de les Abadesses monastery
The bell tower of the romanesque church of Sant Joan de les Abadesses Monastery through one of the gothic archs of the cloister


Gothic cloister of Sant Joan de les Abadesses monastery
Gothic archs of the cloister of Sant Joan de les Abadesses Monastery, a really quiet and peaceful place


Sant Pere de Rodes  Monastery



Sant Pere de Rodes monastery in Catalonia
One of the bell towers of the Sant Pere de Rodes Monastery, built in romanesque style. The views of the Mediterranean sea and the village of El Port de la Selva from this monastery are fantastic


Romanesque church of the Sant Pere de Rodes monastery
Inside the romanesque church of the Sant Pere de Rodes Monastery


Sant Pere Abbey in Besalú


Romanesque church of the Sant Pere monastery in Besalú
The romanesque church of the Sant Pere Monastery in Besalú is the only part of the monastery  which still remains


Sant Pere Monastery in Camprodon



Monastery of Sant Pere de Camprodón in Catalonia

Of the ancient monastery of Sant Pere de Camprodón, the third largest in the area after the Ripoll and Sant Joan de les Abadesses monasteries, only the church remains. This is a simple construction that keeps the original Latin cross plan. The bell tower is located on the octagonal dome above the altar



Poblet Monastery (Ruta del Cister)


Poblet monastery in Catalonia
Benedictine Monastery of Poblet


Gothic cloister of Poblet monastery
Gothic archs of the cloister of Poblet Monastery


Cloister of Poblet monastery
Another picture of the cloister of Poblet Monastery is a really well preserved religious building


Santes Creus  Monastery (Ruta del Cister)



Santes Creus Monastery in Catalonia
Main facade of the church of Santes Creus Monastery


Cloister of Santes Creus Monastery
Gothic cloister of the benedictine Santes Creus Monastery


Vallbona de les Monges  Monastery (Ruta del Cister)



Claustro del monasterio de Vallbona de les Monges
Gothic cloister of the benedictine monastery of Vallbona de les Monges


Sant Pere de Galligants Monastery


Sant Pere de Galligants monastery in Girona
Apse and bell tower of Sant Pere de Galligants Monastery, located in a lovely area of the old city of Girona


Pedralbes Monastery


Gothic church of Pedralbes monastery in Barcelona
Bell tower of the gothic church of Pedralbes Monastery


Gothic cloister of Pedralbes monastery in Barcelona
Gothic archs of the two-storey cloister of Pedralbes Monastery



Sant Miquel del Fai


Medieval abbey of Sant Miquel del Fai in Catalonia
Medieval abbey of Sant Miquel del Fai



Monastery of Sant Cugat



Monastery of Sant Cugat in Barcelona
Monastery of Sant Cugat in Barcelona


Monastery of La Mola



Monastery of La Mola
Monastery on the top of La Mola, called Sant Llorenç del Munt


I also recommend visiting other fantastic religious buildings like the church of Santa Maria del Mar in Barcelona, the cathedral of Girona, the romanesque churches in la Vall de Boí or the romanesque church of Sant Cristófol de Beget.

Besides, clicking on the next link you will find links to other beautiful places in Catalonia, among them, some charming medieval villages like Besalú, Beget, Castellar de N'Hug, Montblanc or Rupit.

2 comentarios:

Louisette dijo...

Wonderfull monasteries, greeting from Belgium

Frank dijo...

Thank you for your comment, Louisette.