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The Cistercian Route (Ruta del Cister in Catalan), between the regions of Alt Camp, Conca de Barberà, and Urgell, is a tourism brand established in 1989 with the aim of revitalising and promoting the Cistercian monasteries of Santes Creus, Poblet, and Vallbona de les Monges, as well as the surrounding villages. It offers the opportunity to explore an area, the inland of the Costa Dorada, rich in natural and architectural value. From Naturaki, we encourage you to uncover all the secrets hidden along the Cistercian Route.
Santes Creus Monastery
We begin our route by visiting the Royal Monastery of Santes Creus, located along the Gaià River. Founded in 1160, the monastery's golden age was between the 13th and 14th centuries. Kings Pere the Great and James II, along with his wife, Blanca of Anjou, were patrons of the monastery and chose to be buried here, in two Gothic mausoleums next to the main altar. Admiral Roger de Lluria is also buried here. Unlike the monasteries of Poblet and Vallbona de les Monges, Santes Creus has not housed a monastic community since 1835. Therefore, some of its premises have been turned into a museum. Be sure to pay special attention to the beautiful cloister and the church, where you will find stunning original 12th-century stained glass windows. If you feel like taking a stroll, just outside the monastery on the other side of the Gaià River, you'll find an eight-kilometer trail that reveals the region's dry-stone heritage.
Vila-rodona
Vila-rodona is very close to Santes Creus and we recommend making a stop there to see the Roman Columbarium, the oldest visitable monument in the region. The construction of the Columbarium is linked to a funeral religious ritual: cremation, which was prevalent in the Roman world until the first third of the 2nd century AD. The remains of the deceased were placed on a wood pyre, burned, and stored in urns. Around the 5th century BC, the urns were placed in circular or rectangular buildings that had niches or small chambers attached to the walls. You can book a guided tour through the town hall.
Valls and Montblanc
Before heading to the Royal Monastery of Santa Maria de Poblet, we recommend stopping in Valls and Montblanc, two of our favorite destinations in the province of Tarragona. Valls is the capital of popular traditions; if you visit it on a Friday (and you like castellers: human towers), it's worth stopping by the rehearsal space of the two groups: Colla Vella and Colla Joves dels Xiquets de Valls. It is also worth visiting the medieval town of Montblanc, where the legend of Saint George is set, and you can walk its streets up to the walls, the fortress-palace of Castlà, the church of Sant Miquel, or Santa Maria la Major. For a great photo opportunity, go up to Pla de Santa Bàrbara for a wonderful panoramic view of the town.
Royal Monastery of Santa Maria de Poblet
Next stop: the Royal Monastery of Santa Maria de Poblet. It is the only one of the three monasteries on the Cistercian Route that is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. According to Josep Pla (a catalan writer), "Poblet is more beautiful for its architecture than for its sculptural details, which are of prodigious sobriety and simplicity." Indeed, its appearance is majestic, more like a castle than a monastery. Its construction started in the mid-12th century when Ramon Berenguer IV had just conquered these lands. Be sure to visit the cheerful and bright cloister, as well as the church where you can see a magnificent 16th-century alabaster altarpiece and, of course, the tombs of eight kings and six queens of the Crown of Aragon. After finishing, a visit to the caves of Espluga de Francolí, close to Poblet, is highly recommended. These are some of the longest conglomerate rock cavities in the world, ideal for speleology enthusiasts. If you want to enjoy breathtaking views, head to the lookout at Tossal de la Creu, which offers extraordinary panoramas of the monastery's surroundings.
Monastery of Santa Maria de Vallbona
We arrive at the monastery of Santa Maria de Vallbona, the most unknown and surprising treasure of the Cistercian Route. It is the most important Cistercian nunnery in Catalonia. Founded in the 12th century, it is still inhabited by a community of nuns today. Although it appears more humble than the other two monasteries, it is worth visiting to see its austere cloister from the 12th to 15th centuries, the chapter house, or the church of Santa Maria, a single nave with a sharply pronounced crossing and square apses. The octagonal lantern-shaped belfry, finished in a pyramid, is a unique specimen and one of the most daring works of medieval architecture. The interior of the church, characterized by simplicity and light play, contains the remains of Queen Violant of Hungary, wife of James I, and their daughter, Princess Samsa of Aragon. Vallbona has always been a center of contemplative life, culture, work, and prayer, and since the 13th century, it has hosted a monastic school where daughters of the nobility were educated.
Santa Coloma de Queralt
We conclude our unique Cistercian Route by visiting the town of Santa Coloma de Queralt, in Conca de Barberà, from where you can do hiking and mountain biking routes, such as the Creu de Barràs or the Mills Route. The monumental route is also highly recommended, ideal for discovering the town's heritage, including the Castle of the Counts, the Jewish quarter, the Gothic church, or the convent of Santa Maria de Bell-lloc, among others.
Map of the Cistercian Route:
If you enjoy history and visiting architectural and cultural heritage, we recommend reading our article on the 10 most emblematic monasteries in Catalonia.