Description
The Monastery of Sant Cugat stands among the most relevant sites when it comes to medieval art in Catalonia. It is listed as a Cultural Asset of National Interest.
The Romanesque cloister is considered to be the most notable element due to the structure and decoration of the 144 stone capitals – each of them unique. Thus, this cloister is the most significant of the Peninsula.
The whole cloister is of great architectural richness. It finds its origins in the 9th century, when a Benedictine monastery was founded on top of a Paleo Christian church in a place called Octavìa. The monastery has undergone various modifications over the centuries.
The medieval monastery used to be a walled architectural complex. Following the events of 1714 and later during the Spanish Confiscation, it was reduced to what can still be seen now: the Octavià plaza, the ‘Portal Major’ (The Major Gate), much of the walls from the 14th century, the bell tower, the Romanesque remains, the cloistered outbuildings, the Abbey Palace and the Church of Sant Pere.
Guided visits are organized at the monastery.
Since 1833, the parish life has continued uninterruptedly in the church and the Abbey.
The cloister is now home to the Monastery Museum. If you decide to visit it, you will see a permanent exhibition on the architectural evolution of the abbey and the most significant aspects of everyday life of the Benedictine community.