Monestir de Pedralbes - Pedralbes Monastery Museum
Former monastery Founded by King James II of Aragon in 1326. 3 tier courtyard garden and preserved rooms such as the kitchens, dining hall, basement and Church
About Pedralbes Monastery Museum
The Pedralbes Monastery,
Pedralbes Monastery History
The monastery was founded by King James II of Aragon (Jaume II) for his wife Elisenda de Montcada in 1326. It housed a community of nuns, mostly members of noble families. The queen gave the monastery a series of privileges, including the direct protection of the city of Barcelona, through the Consell de Cent (Council of the Hundred), who had the task to defend it in case of danger.
The monastery is dedicated to Saint Mary which gives it the full title of Reial Monestir de Santa Maria de Pedralbes or Royal Saint Mary Monastery in Pedralbes. The name Pedralbes derives from the latin Petras Albas because a white stone was laid as a foundation stone.
Elisenda also built a palace annexed to the monastery, where she lived after her husband's death in 1327. She died there in 1367. The remains of the palace were discovered in the 1970s.
The cloister has three floors, and a length of 40 meters, with a central garden of orange trees and pines. It is formed by wide arches on columns, whose capitals are decorated with the emblems of the Kings of Aragon and the House of Montcada. The sepulchre of Queen Elisenda, in alabaster stone, is located in one of the cloister's wings.
Also notable is the Chapel of St. Michael, housing several fresco paintings by Ferrer Bassa. Dating to 1346, they show the influence of the Italian painter Giotto.
Image Gallery for Pedralbes Monastery Museum
Click on any of the 68 images to open full screen gallery player
