Terra de Comtes i Abats a Sant Joan de les Abadesses

Tierra de Comtes y Abats offers you a lot of proposals to discover the cultural and natural heritage of San Juan de las Abadesses, highlighting some of the most important medieval sites in the country. We suggest you take a trip to the origins of Catalonia, and experience first-hand the history of this territory and its extraordinary characters.

Monastery of San Juan de las Abadesses

The Monastery of San Juan de las Abadesses, founded by Guifré el Pelós in 887, is the first female monastery in the Catalan counties. Its first abbess, Emma of Barcelona, effectively managed the lands and donations, expanding the monastery's heritage and influence until the creation of the town of Sant Joan. After five abbesses, the monastery became a male community in 1017, under Bernat Tallaferro. The current building, from the 12th century, is an outstanding example of Catalan Romanesque.

The Holy Mystery stands out, a wood carving from the 13th century, representing the descent from the cross, a transition between Romanesque and Gothic. The monastery also preserves Gothic altarpieces and the tomb of Beat Miró. The architecture includes an Occitan -influenced apse, a trapezoidal Gothic cloister and the baroque chapel of Sorrows, with a carving of the Pietà by the sculptor Viladomat.

A center rich in history and art, the Monastery of San Juan de las Abadesses is a jewel of Catalan heritage.

Abbey Palace

The Abbey Palace, with origins dating back to the 14th century, was configured by Abbot Pere de Soler and ennobled in the 15th century by Abbot Arnau de Vilalba with Gothic elements and the construction of the cloister. Today, completely renovated, it is the headquarters of the Tourist Office and several notable exhibition spaces:

• Interpretation Center of the Myth of Count Arnau: Exhibition that explores the folklore, history, music and literature around the mythical symbol of Catalonia, Count Arnau.

• La Abadía Art Space: Contemporary exhibition space in harmony with 19th century Romanesque art. XIV/XV, located on the two floors of the cloister.

• Romanesque, a tour of Ripollès: Exhibition of scale models of the Romanesque of Ripollès, with reproductions respecting the original proportions and authentic materials.

• Ramon Oliveras. Luthier. Passion for a trade: Permanent exhibition that reveals the life and work of the San Juan luthier, Ramon Oliveras, and the artisanal process of constructing stringed instruments.

The Abbey Palace is an essential cultural center in Sant Joan de les Abadesses, enriching the understanding of local history and contemporary arts.

Other visits and activities

They also offer a wide range of attractive activities for all audiences.

In Sant Joan de les Abadesses you can take a pleasant walk through the historic town or enter an old flour mill to learn how it worked.