Reial Monestir de Santes Creus
Municipalities
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).
Nearby routes
On a route through the medieval castles of the Gaià River
Aiguamúrcia, Altafulla, El Catllar, Montferri, Rodonyà, Tarragona
The Gaià is one of the rivers that cross the province of Tarragona. What makes it special is that along its course through the regions of Alt Camp, Conca de Barberà and Tarragonès - perpendicular to the coast - there is…
A trip to the universe of calçots
Aiguamúrcia, Alcover, Bràfim, Montblanc, Montferri, Nulles, Salomó, Valls
The calçotada is one of the most popular and significant gastronomic festivals in Catalonia with more than a century of life. Its reason for being is calçot, a variety of white, sweet and elongated onion that is eaten cooked on…
Grand Tour de Catalunya - Section 1. Vineyards with taste in the sea: from Barcelona to Tarragona
Aiguamúrcia, Barcelona, Cabra del Camp, Cardona, El Vendrell, Monistrol de Montserrat, Mura, Navès, Sant Fruitós de Bages, Sant Llorenç de Morunys, Sant Sadurní d'Anoia, Sitges, Solsona, Súria, Tarragona, Vilafranca del Penedès
I want to do this route by electric vehicle! This route is designed to be done by electric vehicle, although it can be done with any other car. Along the route we will suggest municipalities that have charging points and places of interest…
Cistercian Route: Culture, fauna and flora around Santes Creus
Aiguamúrcia, Alcover, Alió, Montferri, Valls
In this second installment of the Cistercian Route, we invite you to discover the Santes Creus monastery and its regions, rich in fauna and flora thanks in large part to the influence of the Gaià river, a river that has marked the historical…
The Cistercian Route, a genuine combination of nature, heritage and landscape
Aiguamúrcia, Vallbona de les Monges, Vimbodí i Poblet
The Cistercian Route is a fascinating journey that takes you back to medieval times through three historic monasteries in Catalonia: the Poblet Monastery, the Santes Creus Monastery and the Vallbona de les Monges Monastery. With a tour through…
Cistercian Route: The Poblet Monastery, history and present
El Pla de Santa Maria, L'Espluga de Francolí, Montblanc, Rocafort de Queralt, Vimbodí i Poblet
This Cistercian Route, refers to the monastery of Poblet, located in the interior of the Catalan regions, in the Conca de Barberà region. We will get closer to both the monastery and the secrets that the surroundings hide, with a strong…
Events
Clownic Festival in Torrelles de Foix
From 23 to 25 October"Tardor Musical" (Musical Autumn) in Mont-ral - Farena
24 OctoberCrafts and Brocanters Market in Santa Margarida i els Monjos
1 NovemberMost, International Wine Film Festival in Penedès and Priorat
From 5 to 15 NovemberTarragona Juga Festival 2026
From 7 to 8 NovemberItinerary Flavors in time of war at CIARGA
15 NovemberCalçofest Valls
21 November
News
Gothic Architecture: The light and height of medieval Catalonia
Gothic architecture marks a turning point in the history of Catalonia. It was the style that transformed cities, places of worship, and the way people built collectively. A style that changed not only the stone itself, but also the way people…
Iron architecture: the light and steam of industrial Catalonia
In the 19th century, the Industrial Revolution not only changed the way people worked and lived, but also profoundly transformed architecture. The arrival of new materials, such as cast iron, wrought iron, and glass, opened up possibilities…
Sustainable turism
Biosphere