Ruta del Cister

ROUTE IS CISTER? The Cistercian Route is an expression that identifies a particular territory consists of the Alt Camp, Conca de Barbera and Urgell and its 65 municipalities. It's name comes from the artistic and cultural heritage of each of these regions has a Cistercian monastery: Santes Creus, Poblet and Vallbona de les Monges. The three Cistercian monasteries are the bait of the Cistercian Route is marked but beyond the monasteries, their monumentality and sobriety, and who discovers some regions with traditions, a richness of scenery ...       SANTES CREUS Santes Creus, Alt Camp (Costa Daurada) Of the three Cistercian monasteries Santes Creus is that more faithfully reproduces the construction plan Bernardino. It is one of the largest and best preserved Cistercian monasteries that we can visit today. Founded in 1168, protected by the nobility and the kings, became a spiritual center, study and colonization of the territory. Monastic life continued uninterrupted until 1835. The church, sober and imposing architecture, has the royal tombs of Pere el Gran and of Jaume II and his wife Blanca d'Anjou, as well as the great admiral Roger de Llúria. We can also admire the Cistercian and Gothic windows and a Baroque altarpiece of Josep de Tremulles. We will also emphasize the chapter room, the scriptorium, the great dormitory of the monks and the Gothic cloister (XIV) attributed to English Reinart des Fonoll, elegantly sculptured decoration. The montage and audiovisual ''The world of the Cistercians'', considered among the best in Europe of its kind, gives a very full and fascinating idea of the Order and its legacy.   Hour Tuesday to Sunday, including holidays. From 1 October to 31 May: 10.00 to 17.00 (+30') From 1 June to 30 September: 10.00 to 18.30 (+30') Closed Mondays except public holidays, 25 and 26 September and 1 and 6 January. The ticket office and entry are closed 30 minutes before the time limit.   POBLET Poblet, Conca de Barbera (Costa Daurada) The Monastery of Santa Maria de Poblet is located in the region of the Conca de Barbera, between the towns of Vimbodí municipality to which it belongs, and of Espluga of Francolí, sheltered on the northern slopes of the mountains of Prades, in a beautiful spot whence plentiful supplies and where the great mass of the forest of Poblet forest, varied and luxuriant vegetation, which had been one of the great possessions of the monastery (since 1984 Natural Site of National Interest).   The name derives from Latin mall (Populetum). Poblet is an impressive architectural complex and can be counted among the most important monastic monuments in Europe. In addition to the magnificent church, outstanding example of Cistercian art are preserved almost all the buildings that were built according to the needs of a full vitality and expansion community and the protection of the sovereigns of the Catalan-Aragonese confederation: especially since Pere III the Cerimoniós (1336 - 1387) was the monastery of the dynasty royal tomb. Poblet is the largest monastery of the Cistercian Route and the two men is the only community of monks preserved. In 1991 he was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.   Hour From 13 October to March 15de. Monday to Saturday from 10 to 12:40 h and from 15 to 17:25 h. Sundays: 10 to 12:25 and from 15 to 17:25 h. From 16 March to 12 October. Monday to Saturday 10 to 12:40 h and from 15 to 17:55 h. Sundays: 10 to 12:25 and from 15 to 17:25 h. ** Closed: June 30, 25 and 26 December, 1 January and evenings of: January 6, Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Monday.   VALLBONA DE LES MONGES Vallbona de les Monges, Urgell (Costa Daurada) The first news of the monastery date back to 1153, but it was not until 1176 when he joined plenamenicos. Santa Maria de Vallbona of them monks is a Cistercian monastery located in the municipality of Vallbona de les Monges in the county of Urgell. It is the only female monastery and the only that has kept the community continuously for over 850 years, except, of course, times of war. The Vallbona is a beautiful monastery. Small in size and equipped with an unique beauty, is the clearest exponent of the importance of women in medieval times. In it's history we find a full abaciologio daughters of the Catalan nobility. The monastery, we highlight the two gothic domes, the largest of which rests the whole weight of the nave of the church. One of the most important features of the monastery is that we can stay with it's carefully inn. It was declared an historic-artistic monument in 1931. The church is a clear example of Romanesque-Gothic transition. The Latin cross plan consists of a single nave and three rectangular apses with sculptural ornamentation. Each of the galleries of the cloister is a different style: Arabic, Romanesque and Gothic. The chapter (XIV century) houses a statue of Nostra Senyora de la Misericòrdia (XV century).   Hour Winter: November to February. Weekdays from 10:30 to 13:30 h and 16:30 h to 18h. On Sundays and holidays from 12am to 13:30 and 16:30 h to 18h. Summer: March to October. Weekdays from 10:30 h to 13:30 h and 16:30 h to 18:45 h. On Sundays and holidays from 12am to 13:30 h and 16:30 h to 18:45 h. Non-holiday Mondays, there will be no tour. Monday August open. On Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year and Reyes will be closed.

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