Real Estate Services

Inicio > Living in Barcelona > Living in barcelona & History and Architecture > The Pedralbes Monastery

Discovering the Monastery of Pedralbes: The Complete Guide

The Pedralbes Monastery is one of the lesser-known treasures of the city that Barcelona keeps tucked away from flocks of tourists. Its combination of enthralling history and architectural style makes it an attractive building to visit. If it’s on your list of things to do in Les Corts and want to know everything there is to know about the site, keep reading. We’ll outline the must-see spots to make your monastery experience truly unforgettable. Ready to dive in?

Discover the Monastery of Pedralbes

The origins of the monastery of Pedralbes date back to 1326, when it was founded by King James II and his wife Elisenda de Moncada. The royal monastery of Santa Maria de Pedralbes began with a solemn sermon on 3 May 1327. It housed a community of Poor Clare nuns, the majority of whom were daughters of noblemen.

Because of her great interest in the monastery, the queen endowed it with various privileges. One of them being direction protection from the city by the Council of One Hundred which vowed to defend it in times of danger.

So deep was her love for the monastery of Pedralbes that she commissioned a palace annexe and moved there following her husband’s death in 1327. Elisenda lived in the monastery palace until her death in 1364.

In her will, the queen ordered the palace to be demolished following her death. However, in 1970 her remains were discovered by Maria Assumpta Escudero i Ribot, who later became the director of the monastery museum.

In 1640 the nuns were expelled and were then housed in the residence of the Marquis of Aitona during the Reapers’ War. An interesting fact is that, for the monastery’s protection, they were escorted by armed soldiers to their new home.

In 1931 the monastery of Pedralbes was declared a Historic-Artistic Monument and part of it became part of the city’s History Museum. Today, the museum exhibits pieces related to monastic life, many of them belonging to the heritage of the nuns. Although the monastery of Santa Maria de Pedralbes is currently used more for tourism, a small group of nuns still live in an adjoining building.

What to see at the Pedralbes Monastery?

Looking to find out what there is to see at Pedralbes Monastery? We recommended exploring it down by sections to reveal what each one holds:

The church

The church is easily one of the most visited parts of the monastery for the ceremonies carried out there. Its distinctive architectural consistency, achieved through its rapid construction, reflects the epochal Catalan Gothic style.

The building has a single nave with side chapels between the buttresses and a ribbed vault roof. If you look closely, you will notice that the seven bays of the nave are topped with domes, which represent the seven joys of Our Lady.

There are also three choirs within the church: the choir loft, the lower choir and the friars’ choir. The choir loft was reserved for the cloistered nuns and is connected with the dormitory by the Angel room. The lower choir, which was reserved for the nuns, continues to be used for daily prayers. The central choir, crafted from stone and pinewood, was constructed for the friar who sang hymns during mass.

The kitchen

This area of the monastery perfectly symbolizes the passing of time, having been used from the 14th century until 1983. The various domestic utensils, the various tools used for chopping and grinding, the oil drums, the wine barrels, the cold room and the cookers that were part of it are still on display.

You can see still various kitchen utensils along with chopping and grinding tools, oil drums, wine barrels, and cold storage that were once used.

This primitive kitchen was rebuilt in 1602, as it was destroyed by a raging fire set by Joan Flix, the master builder. Despite this, structures such as stone pikes from 1520 are still in perfect condition.

St.Michael’s chapel

As soon as you enter the Chapel of San Miguel, its beauty catches your breath. The impressive mural, featuring 14th-century artwork, was painted by Ferrer Bassa. Although the contract specified oil painting, he chose to use a combination of fresco and dry techniques.

The paintings depict the Passion of Christ, the joys of the Virgin and various figures of saints. In addition, it can be clearly seen how the iconography is inspired by Marian devotions.

The cat’s cloister

The Cat’s Cloister (also known as the laundry room) is named after the cat flap on the main door, which allowed cats to pass from the kitchen to the laundry area. Just like the kitchen space, the most fascinating aspect is to witness how daily life was back then.

Here the sinks the nuns used to wash the community’s clothes can be found. In addition, you can also find wardrobes used to store clothes dotted around the cloister. Together, they paint a visceral picture of what life was like in that era.

The cloister

This area is certainly one of the most symbolic and, for many, the most beautiful parts of the monastery. For this reason alone, it’s definitely something you should not miss during your visit. The cloister is the central element of the space of the Pedralbes monastery consisting of two galleries with 26 columns on each side and a third floor, which was later built as an attic.

To take full advantage of your visit, we recommend heading to the centre of the cloister and soaking in the views of the monastery’s different rooms from its garden. If you can, visit at dusk when the monastery is lit up for an unforgettable view.

The infirmary

In all monasteries, the infirmary plays a vital role, both in terms of importance and function. The doctor and barber were the only men allowed access, and they always needed to be accompanied by the sister nurse.

While the infirmary had required improvements since the early 15th century, it wasn’t until the end of the 16th century that King Philip II funded the construction of a new facility with 600 ducats.

The storeroom

The store room is located on the lower terrace of the monastery, just below the infirmary. The purpose of this area was to store the harvest from the orchards, the grain, other products and the farming tools that the royal monastery of Santa Maria de Pedralbes had at its disposal.

Find your dream apartment in Barcelona

FAQS

Where can I buy tickets for the Pedralbes Monastery?

You can buy tickets for the Pedralbes Monastery at its physical ticket office, but we recommend you book your ticket online at its official website.

Is it possible to get free tickets for the Pedralbes Monastery?

Yes, members of the Gaudir Més programme have free access to the Pedralbes monastery.

What are the visitor’s reviews?

The reviews of the Monastery of Pedralbes are quite satisfactory, with most of the visitors leaving happy after their visit. Check out their uploaded photos to get an idea of what awaits you.

Still not sure where to stay during your visit to Barcelona? Remember that at Loca Barcelona we have a great selection of the best tourist rentals in Barcelona. Whether you want to stay in the classy Les Corts or the bustling El Born, we have the right apartment for you.

Don't miss out on what there is to do in Barcelona

Restaurants in Barcelona

Best Bars in Barcelona

Transports in Barcelona

What to do and see in Barcelona

Barcelona Festivals

Architecture in Barcelona

Do not hesitate to contact us if you have a question or would like to discuss your project.

Take a look at all the neighborhoods of Barcelona

Living in the Eixample

Living in Ciutat Vella

Living in Sants-Montjuïc

Living in Les Corts

Living in Sarriá
Sant Gervasi

Living in Grácia

Living in Horta Guinardó

Living in Nou Barris

Living in Sant Andreu

Living in Sant Martí