Charterhouse of Aula Dei, Gothic monastery near Peñaflor de Gallego, Spain.
Charterhouse of Aula Dei is a Carthusian monastery near Zaragoza built with stone architecture specifically designed to accommodate a large monastic community. The complex includes the monastic church, multiple cloisters, and residential spaces all organized within an enclosed layout.
Archbishop Hernando de Aragón founded this Carthusian monastery in 1563 as a remote retreat for monks. The complex suffered during 19th-century reforms but was restored and revived by French religious communities.
Francisco Goya painted eleven large frescoes depicting the Life of the Virgin between 1772 and 1774, with seven remaining pieces decorating the monastic church. These works show how important this place became for Spanish artistic life.
The monastery is open to visitors but has limited visiting hours, so checking ahead is helpful. A call or message to confirm access arrangements will help you plan your visit, especially if you are traveling with a group.
The monastery was built to house around 36 monks, which is significantly larger than the typical Carthusian community. This generous scale made it one of the larger monastic complexes of its kind in Europe.
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