Monastery of Pedralbes, Gothic monastery in Pedralbes, Spain
The Monastery of Pedralbes is a Gothic building in Barcelona featuring a three-level cloister with octagonal columns and pointed arches. The cloister's tracery windows cast light across the surrounding corridors, creating spaces where stone and light work together.
Queen Elisenda established this monastery in 1326 for a community of Poor Clare nuns and as a refuge for herself after her husband's death. This decision reflects how royal families used religious communities to ensure their legacy and spiritual standing.
Saint Michael's Chapel displays 14th-century frescoes that show how Italian artistic techniques reached Catalonia and influenced local painters. Visitors can observe how artists working here blended foreign styles with their own traditions.
The site opens Tuesday through Sunday and features uneven floors and steep staircases typical of medieval construction. Wear comfortable shoes and plan extra time to move through the cloister and adjacent rooms at a leisurely pace.
The tomb of Queen Elisenda shows two distinct sides: one depicts her as a crowned ruler, while the other shows her as a nun in religious dress. This dual representation reveals how the founder wanted to preserve both her royal identity and her spiritual commitment.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
