The districts of Alt Camp, Conca de Barberà and Urgell reveal a landscape of fertile soil that caught the eye of Cistercian monks. In each of these districts they built a monastery: Santes Creus, Poblet and Vallbona de les Monges. The Cistercian Route links the three on a circular path that follows the GR175, which can be covered in several stages by hiking (105 kilometres) or mountain biking (108 kilometres).
Santes Creus was a centre of power and major influence for the Crown of Aragon. Pere the Great and Jaume II, along with his wife Blanca de Anjou, wanted to be buried in Santes Creus, in two Gothic mausoleums by the main altar. On guided tours we can learn about the medieval legends associated with this monastery on the banks of the river Gaià.
Poblet, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is located in a stunning setting, at the foot of the Prades mountains, with Poblet forest and its thermal springs within walking distance. The type of landscape that inspires Mediterranean garden, with an abundance of vineyards, grain fields and olive orchards.
Vallbona de les Monges is the only one of the three monasteries that is surrounded by an urban centre; this was a concession by the Abbess to circumvent the Council of Trent’s ban on women’s monasteries in isolated places. Alongside Poblet, these are the two monasteries that are still inhabited today.
