Monestir de Pedralbes, Barcelona

Barcino's Monasterio de Pedralbes is a Gothic masterpiece which currently serves as a publicly accessible museum. This museum gives visitors a glimpse into the lives of mediaeval monks. Although it is conveniently close to Finca Güell, the monastery in the city's northwestern quadrant is largely ignored by visitors. While in Barcelona, don't miss out on this unexpected gem and haven of peace. Very devout Elisenda de Montcada (James II's fourth and final wife) financed the building of a convent for the Clarisses, a female branch of the Franciscan order, in 1327.

The Latin origin of the name "Pedralbes" alludes to white stones, or "petras albas." After being kept secret for centuries, the Pedralbes monastery finally opened to the public in 1972 when the municipal government of Barcelona and the nuns reached an agreement to donate the monastery to the city for use as a museum. A new convent for the nuns would be constructed by the city as compensation. In 1983, after years of renovations, the old monastery reopened to the public. The many parts of the monastery are open to visitors, including the kitchen, the herb garden, the old dormitories housing an exhibition/museum showcasing the monastery's relics, and the various chapels. If you're taking a vacation in Barcelona, you shouldn't miss this place and the adjacent monastic church.

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• Get ready to learn more about ancient Catalonia by visiting one of Barcelona's most famous landmarks, the Monasterio de Pedralbes.
• Discover the historical significance of Queen Elisenda de Montcada's 1327 construction of the monastery, the oldest in the area.
• View the church and the three-story cloister, two prime examples of Catalan Gothic architecture.
• Admire the extensive artefacts and paintings that chronicle the history of the sheltered community that called the monastery home until 1983.
• Explore the city's many districts to learn about Barcelona and Catalonia's 700-year history.
• Visit the church and marvel at its stunning Catalan Gothic and southern European design.
• Visit St. Michael's Chapel and be amazed by the fresco and secco paintings that were created using a hybrid technique.
• Visit the Queen's tomb and hear legends about her reign and the impact she had on cloistered society.
• Learn about the history of the community by visiting the chapter house, a gathering place in the neighbourhood that has been around since the 14th century and was designed by the illustrious architects Antoni Nato and Guillem Abiell.
• Seize the chance to view the abbey room's mural decorations, which were created in the 14th century using a fresco-tempera hybrid technique.

• By Car: The centre of Barcelona is 6.1 km from where the action will take place. The drive there won't take more than 20 minutes.
• By Train: There is a 2.3-kilometer distance between Maria Cristina Station and the site of the event. In no more than 8 minutes, you'll have arrived at your destination.

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The best time to visit Monasterio de Pedralbes is on the first Sunday of the month, as you get free entry to this attraction. However, you can visit even on early opening hours to avoid the crown and buzz, and enjoy the place in peace.

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Here are some tips that every tourist should keep in mind while visiting the Monestir de Pedralbes:

• Come to Monasterio de Pedralbes on a hot day and you'll be glad you did because it's nice and cool inside.
• This museum can be easily reached by those with mobility constraints hence do come here to enjoy instead of keeping at home.
• There are also audio guides for your convenience hence do pay for them for a better experience.

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Rules and Regulations:

• There are a number of items that cannot be brought into the monastery, including but not limited to backpacks, bags, or items larger than 25x25cm, tripods, helmets, sticks, voice amplification devices, and chairs other than wheelchairs, as stated in the centre's regulations.
• Also prohibited are the use of any kind of food, drink, or tobacco products anywhere on the premises.
• In order to preserve the spiritual purity of the monastery and out of respect for the monks and nuns who live there, visitors are not permitted to wear period costumes or other such items.

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