On way to Barcelona from Madrid as we passed through the beautiful areas of Catalonian Spain –we looked forward to our visit to the monastery of Poblet. One of the most beautiful 12th century abbey, declared to be a World UNESCO site which is run by the Cistercian monks and is a working monastery.

The Journey

The way up to monastery is a long and winded one and passes through vineyards reportedly maintained by the Cistercian monks, producing some of the finest wines in the region. Soon the bus, drew to a stop before the impressive monastery – it was time for the tour to begin. There was something surreal about the place – though the place is only a 90 minutes’ drive from the bustling town of Barcelona, yet it seems much further away in time and space. Maybe owing to the fact that I knew some of the most powerful Spanish monarchs lie buried here, or maybe because the Cistercian monks (or the white monks) had a lifestyle which was different and beyond austerity at times – I was intrigued and keen to explore the place.

The Mystery that Lay Inside

A point to note here is that the monastery cannot be visited at your own will – you need to be part of a guided tour. Most of the tours are in Spanish but a few are in English and we were part of one such tour.

There are only selected parts of the monastery that you can visit – this includes the church, dining space for the monks, library and the catacombs where the royal monks lie buried.

The big wooden gate opened and soon we were inside – initially it took some time for our eyes to adjust to the dark but soon a new world opened before us. The architecture inside the monastery is stunning – the Gothic styled cloisters are sure to leave one spell-bound. The high arches that overlook the stunning garden and a clear blue Mediterranean sky, the unique calmness of the space, all speak of bygone times and an era long gone.



Photo credits: Inside 1 and 1A: whstravellers.wordpress.com

We proceeded inwards to see the dining space which had the only fireplace in the monastery – (the place which has well below-zero temperatures during the winter months), was the abode of monks who believed austerity to be a way of life – naturally, for them, the warmth was a luxury and only the infirm or for a certain time of day, they allowed themselves the same.

The dining room and library lead to the church area – the kings, with lions on their feet and queens with dogs under their feet, lie buried there – reminding one of the transient nature of the human life.

…and Finally

What begins must end and all that remains is love, art and human creations celebrating both. A sense of serenity prevails in the entire monastery and as the tour ended I went back enriched by the thought that what is but life but a celebration of few moments of joy and beauty.

Photo credits - Banner Left: adventureliesinfront.com; Banner Center: addartbarcelona.com; Banner Right: adventureliesinfront.com.

On way to Barcelona from Madrid as we passed through the beautiful areas of Catalonian Spain –we looked forward to our visit to the monastery of Poblet. One of the most beautiful 12th century abbey, declared to be a World UNESCO site which is run by the Cistercian monks and is a working monastery.

The Journey
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