Monestir de Sant Cugat

In the heart of the town, in Plaça d'Octavià, stands the imposing, majestic, and powerful monastic complex. This monastery was built in honor of the martyr Cugat and became the most powerful in the County of Barcelona. Enjoy a stroll through the history, architecture, and art housed within the Monastery of Sant Cugat.

The monastic complex

Founded in the 9th century, the Monastery is one of the most important examples of medieval art in Catalonia. It was completely fortified during the Middle Ages, and a good portion of the 14th-century wall still stands today.

In the 11th century, it became a very important center of power and culture. The monks dedicated themselves to worship and prayer under the Benedictine rule, but they also administered extensive properties, and their abbots were very influential men.

The power and splendor of monasticism can still be felt throughout the complex today.

The Monastery Church

Composed of three naves with their corresponding apses, it was built between the 12th and 14th centuries. Begun within the guidelines of the Romanesque style and finished with the new forms of Gothic art, it is one of the best places in Catalonia to observe this transition between styles.

Inside the church you can admire various works of art, such as tombs, altarpieces, altars and gold and silver objects.

The large central rose window of the 1337 facade stands out, which is of the same type as that of the south transept of Notre-Dame de Paris.

The Romanesque cloister

It's well worth taking a leisurely visit to admire the finest European cloister of Romanesque sculpture, with 114 unique capitals. It is considered the masterpiece of the sculptor Arnau Cadell.

The cloister is a symbolic and also functional space, since the different rooms were arranged around it and the community life of the monks was encouraged.

A jewel of Catalan Romanesque architecture and one of the best cloisters for its artistic quality.

Guided tours

You can also take guided tours of the monastery complex. See the website for the guided tours offered by the Monastery.

Opening hours - Sant Cugat Monastery

Cloister and Museum of the Monastery:

• From Tuesday to Saturday, from 10:30 to 13:30 and from 16:00 to 19:00.
• (From June 1st to September 30th, 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.).
• Sundays and public holidays, from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
• Closed on Mondays (excluding public holidays).

*Closed January 1st and 6th, and December 25th and 26th.

Monastery Church:

Every day from 8am to 1pm and from 5pm to 8pm (times may be subject to change depending on parish needs).

Free admission