Poblet Monastery

Poblet almost seems alert, proud and on guard when it receives guests, as if were aware of the important cultural, historic, and artistic heritage housed within its walls. A visit is in order if only to enjoy the incredible and idyllic landscapes in the sub-region of Conca de Barberà, home to the largest Cistercian community in all of Europe.

Visits are guided and the information from the guides about the Cistercians was interesting, but I also enjoyed the information about the Kindgom of Aragón; after all, we shouldn’t forget that Poblet houses the most important royal tombs in all of Catalonia, notably that of Jaume I the Conquerer.

This is the royal pantheon of the Crown of Aragon from Alfonso II. Located in the region of Conca de Barbera, in the town of Vimbodí, in Tarragona, the first monastery was promoted and sponsored by Count Ramon Berenguer IV, who gave it to the monks of the Bernards Fontfroide Abbey in 1149 (XII century). Today, it continues to house the Cistercian monks who take care of the place, pray and keep a small garden. It also has a hostel which accommodates 12 male guests who need a retreat, in return for which they do some voluntary work.

One of the Cistercian Route’s three monasteries, the Poblet Monastery is the largest of the three and the only one which still houses a large community of nuns.

UNESCO recognized it as a World Heritage Site thanks to its impressive architecture and status as one of Europe’s most important monasteries. It’s surrounded by vineyards and immense forests and looks like something out of a postcard when you see it coming from the highway.