Santes Creus, Cistercian monastery in Aiguamúrcia, Spain.
Santes Creus is a Cistercian monastery in a valley near the Gaià River, with its church combining Romanesque portals and Gothic windows. The complex features three naves, five chapels, and a Gothic cloister with intricately carved details.
The monastery was founded in 1158 by the Moncada family and later became a royal burial place for Aragonese kings during the 13th and 14th centuries. Its role as a royal pantheon shaped its growth and architectural development.
The monastery displays pure Cistercian architecture with a Latin cross layout and houses royal tombs of Catalan nobility. These burial monuments tell the story of the place's importance to the region's ruling families.
The site sits in a quiet valley and is best explored by taking time to walk through its different areas at your own pace. It helps to check opening hours and tour availability in advance to make the most of your visit.
The Gothic cloister was commissioned by Jaume II in 1313 and features elaborate carved details throughout its corners and supports. At the cloister's center stands a smaller Romanesque structure with a fountain basin that once served as a washing place.
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