Among the three Cistercian monasteries it is the one which is
true to the finest Bernardian building plan.
Founded in 1150 and established in Santes Creus since 1160, it went through glorious stages until 1835, the year it was finally disbanded. Nowadays it is the only monastery of the Ruta del Cister which has not monastic life, allowing the visitor to discover the treasures of this magnificent cenobium where still remain in each stone the most alive memory of its history. Let yourself be drawn by the history and the legends that float around the monastery which will be kindly explained by your guides.
The architectonic and acoustic characteristics
of the monks’ dormitory have made of it
nowadays scenery of an annual (it takes place
every summer) cycle of classic and sacred
music.
THE COLUMBARY OF VILA-RODONA
Dating from the 1st century, it is the main
example of the roman activity in Vila-Rodona.
The building outside is made of a decorated
base where the proportioned an reinforced walls rest. Inside we find the apse with five niches where the funerary urns were kept.
THE TOMB OF PERE EL GRAN
The tomb of Pere el Gran is formed by a similar to a bath big sarcophagus made of red porphyry brought from the Orient.
Below it there are two lions which may be of Mesopotamic origin. In the ground we find the tomb of Almirant Roger de Flor who asked to be buried at his lord feet.
ROMANESQUE STYLE CHURCH OF EL PLA
Firstly dedicated to Sta. Maria, at the mid of the 19th century, the Romanesque church of El
Pla the Sta. Maria was consecrated to St. Ramon de Penyafort. Probably built on the 13th century, there stand out the main gate and the rose window of the western façade. In the 18th century, part of the church was damaged and was restored at the end of the 18th century.
In 1951 it was declared historic and
artistic national monument.
