Visit the monastery of Santa Maria de Poblet

Walking through the Royal Monastery of Santa Maria de Poblet is like traveling through time. Founded in the 12th century, it is one of the most important monastic sites in Europe.

It is located in the Conca de Barberà region, surrounded by vineyards 🍇 and nestled in a forested landscape, declared a Natural Park of National Interest since 1984🌲. A place we can explore by following the trails that cross it, such as the route to the Pena viewpoint or the trail through the painted forest of Poblet 🚶🏻🚶🏻‍♀️.

The Poblet Monastery is part of the Cistercian Route and is the largest of the three monasteries that form it (Poblet, Santes Creus, and Vallbona de les Monges).

Welcome to the world of calm

The Poblet Monastery was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1991. It preserves much of its original construction and is the largest inhabited Cistercian complex in Europe.

Currently, a community of around 30 Benedictine monks live and maintain the monastery following the Rule of St. Benedict.

The site also has an external guesthouse, opened in 2010, with 42 simple but well-equipped and elegant rooms; and an internal guesthouse (only for men, who follow the community’s schedule and practices).

The visit to the monastery can be done independently or with an audioguide that can be downloaded from the internet 🎧.

You can complement this visit to the Poblet Monastery by combining it with a tour of some of the local wineries, such as Celler Castell de Riudabella, Celler Vidbertus, or Celler Rendé Masdèu.

History of the Poblet Monastery

The Poblet Monastery was founded in 1150 by Ramón Berenguer IV, Count of Barcelona, with the intention of repopulating lands recently conquered from the Moors and for religious purposes. Monks from the Fontfreda Abbey (France) were the first settlers of the monastery.

Between the 12th and 13th centuries, the first buildings and halls of the architectural complex were constructed, but construction continued over the centuries. It wasn’t until 1639 that the entire complex was fortified, leaving the Royal Gate as the only access.

Until the late 13th century, the monastery suffered an economic crisis💰, but in the mid-14th century, under King Peter III ‘the Ceremonious’, Poblet experienced a revival, with ties to the Crown of Aragon and the construction of the Royal Pantheon (1340).

Some of the finest sculptors of the time worked on the construction of the white alabaster tombs in the Pantheon. Many great kings and figures, such as Alfonso I, James I the Conqueror, Peter III the Ceremonious, and many of their successors, were buried at Poblet.

With the decline of the Crown of Aragon👑 and especially the Mendizábal Decree of 1835, the monastery was suppressed, and its 70 monks were forced to leave👉.

The period of looting and pillaging greatly affected the Royal Pantheon until this situation was halted, and the monastic complex was officially protected. In 1940, with the arrival of four Italian Cistercian monks, the monastic function was restored.

Since then, and with the growth of the monastic community, the Poblet Monastery has been rebuilt and recognized by UNESCO, making it a must-see destination.

Poblet Monastery visiting hours

From September 15 to June 14:
· Monday to Saturday: 10:00 AM to 12:30 PM and 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM
· Sundays and holidays: 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM and 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM

From June 15 to September 14:
· Monday to Saturday: 10:00 AM to 12:30 PM and 3:00 PM to 6:30 PM
· Sundays and holidays: 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM and 3:00 PM to 6:30 PM

Closed:
· January 1 and 6, December 25 and 26: closed all day
· Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter Monday: closed in the afternoon

Poblet Monastery ticket prices

Tickets are purchased at the Monastery Shop. Sales end half an hour before closing.

· General admission: 9,50 €
· Reduced admission: 7 €
· Combined ticket for the Cistercian Route: 15 €

The visit is available with an audioguide in Catalan, Spanish, English, French, and German. It can be downloaded from the App Store or Play Store. Headphones are required (visitors must bring their own).