The Most Important Monastery in Barcelona

Mediterranean Coast Tour of Spain ~ Barcelona (Region) Its history dates back to the 9th century. The monastery consists of a church built in the 11th and 12th centuries, an impressive Romanesque cloister surrounded by the priests' hall and monastery buildings. The rooms above the cloister were constructed in the 16th century. Within the monastery, there are remains of ancient early Christian architecture. The bell tower, dome, and altarpiece, especially the "All Saints" painting by Pere Serra, are particularly exquisite. The monastery showcases artistic examples ranging from Romanesque to Baroque styles. Its most unique feature is the 144 carved capitals, each with distinct decorations depicting biblical scenes, mythical animals, and medieval daily life. The 8-meter-high Gothic rose window of the monastery is especially striking. Admission is free and definitely worth a visit! Another interesting fact is that during the Middle Ages, this monastery was one of the wealthiest and most powerful in Catalonia, governing over 40 towns. It even had its own defensive walls to protect itself from attacks!