Monestir de Santa Maria de Bonrepòs, Cistercian monastery in La Morera de Montsant, Spain
Monestir de Santa Maria de Bonrepòs is a former Cistercian monastery situated in the mountain area of La Morera de Montsant at 549 meters elevation within the Serra de Montsant range. The monastic buildings preserve local building traditions and were later repurposed for agricultural use, with the original chapel now functioning as a wine cellar at Mas de Sant Blai.
The monastery was established in 1215 when thirteen religious women from the hermitage of Santa Maria de Montsant settled in this location. During the 13th and 14th centuries it developed as an important religious center before gradually losing influence over time.
The name Bonrepòs means 'good rest' in Catalan, reflecting the spiritual purpose intended for this place. Today visitors can observe how the buildings remain woven into the life of the region, blending their original function with contemporary use.
The site is located in the hilly terrain of the Serra de Montsant and is accessible to visitors interested in exploring the area. It is advisable to wear appropriate footwear and be mindful of the rough mountain landscape, as the buildings are situated on uneven terrain.
A notable royal connection appears in the fact that Queen Margarita of Prades, second wife of King Martin I, served as abbess starting in 1428. This brief period of royal presence marked one of the final peaks before the monastery's decline.
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