Reial Monestir de Santes Creus Aiguamúrcia

The Royal Monastery of Santes Creus is located on the banks of the Gaià river. This monastery was the center of one of the most extensive and influential monastic lordships of the Crown of Aragon.

With a robust, serious and austere architecture, the abbey reflects the canonical model of Cistercian monasteries (together with Vallbona de les Monges and Poblet ). Visiting Santes Creus means reliving a time in which purity and withdrawal from the world materialized in a place firmly anchored to the earth. Currently, it is no longer inhabited by monks.

Founded in 1160, Santes Creus's heyday was during the 13th and 14th centuries, thanks to its close relationship with the nobility and the royal family. King Pedro III of Aragon and King James II of Aragon, along with his wife Blanca de Anjou, were patrons of the monastery and decided to be buried here, in two Gothic mausoleums located next to the main altar.

The study and restoration of the royal mausoleums in 2010 made it possible to discover the remains of Pedro III of Aragon and Blanca of Anjou, the only monarchs of the Crown of Aragon whose remains have been preserved intact.

The plan of the monastery organizes the spaces in such a way that they adapt to the needs of the community. The church, which was opened for worship in 1225, is an example of the transition from the Romanesque to the Gothic style. Although it conveys a feeling of lightness and grandeur, it is a solid and austere temple. Contrasting with this, the splendor of the cloister stands out, from the 14th century, which is the first example of the Gothic style of the Crown of Aragon.

Schedule:

From Tuesday to Sunday, including holidays.

• Period from October 1 to May 31: from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (last projection of the audiovisual is at 4:30 p.m.).
• Period from June 1 to September 30: from 10:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. (last projection of the audiovisual is at 6:00 p.m.).

The open days at the Monastery of Santes Creus are the last Tuesdays from October to June (both included).