N 240 turns west away from Montblanch, passing the little spa of Espluga de Francolí, off the road on the left. From here a detour can be made to the monastery of Santa María de Poblet, 3km/2mi southwest. This Cistercian house was founded in 1151 by Ramón Berenguer IV and was completed in all essentials by the end of the 14th century. It was partly destroyed in the early 19th century, but was reoccupied by Cistercian monks in 1940. Famed as the burial-place of the Aragonese kings, it is still highly impressive.
The whole complex, including various associated buildings as well as the conventual buildings proper, is surrounded by a protective wall. Within the outer gate and the inner "Golden Gate" (Catalan Porta Daurada) are the hospital (to left) and the hospice (to right). Beyond this is an open court, dominated by the Baroque facade of the church.
The most notable feature of the Romanesque church is the magnificent alabaster high altar (1527) by Damián Forment. Flanking the altar, on depressed arches, are the tall Gothic tombs of the kings and queens of Aragon, with recumbent figures of the occupants. From the church a staircase leads up to the Dormitory of the Novices and the Royal Palace.
The conventual buildings, which are surrounded by a high wall, are reached from the central court by way of the Royal Doorway (Catalan Porta Real), flanked by two massive towers. Passing the large parlor on the right then the kitchen and the refectory, we enter the Early Gothic cloister, which is of impressive size. The side nearest the church was begun in Romanesque style and completed in Gothic. On the opposite side is a fountain-house with 30 spouts. Opening off the cloister are the magnificent chapterhouse, with numerous abbots' tombs, and beyond this, on the left, the library, formerly the scriptorium. The dormitory is now a museum in which the church treasury is displayed.
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Exterior of the Poblet Monastery.
Walkway to the Monasterio de Poblet.
