Poblet Abbey, officially known as the Royal Abbey of Santa Maria de Poblet (Reial Monestir de Santa Maria de Poblet, in the original Catalan), is a historic Cistercian monastery of great cultural and spiritual importance. Founded in 1151 by Cistercian monks from France, this monumental monastery is located at the foot of the Prades Mountains in the comarca of Conca de Barberà, Catalonia, Spain. The architect Arnau Bargués was instrumental in the design of its original structure, which has stood the test of time, becoming a witness to centuries of history.
Poblet Abbey was the first of three sister monasteries that formed the famous “Cistercian Triangle” in Catalonia, along with Vallbona de les Monges and Santes Creus. This trio of monasteries played a crucial role in the consolidation of power in Catalonia during the 12th century. Indeed, Poblet’s influence extended far beyond the spiritual realm. It served as one of the two royal pantheons of the kings of the Crown of Aragon, beginning with James I of Aragon. The abbey became the final resting place for many Aragonese monarchs, whose tombs were decorated with intricately carved alabaster statues. The symbolic sculptures of lions and dogs at the feet of the kings and queens add to the solemnity and grandeur of these tombs.
Peter IV of Aragon made it a royal decree, sworn under oath, that all Aragonese kings should be buried in Poblet – a tradition maintained by all except Ferdinand II of Aragon. During the monastery’s golden age, more than 300 monks lived within its walls, and numerous “Cistercian farms,” managed by lay brothers, contributed to the abbey’s agricultural prosperity. The extensive monastery buildings covered some 12,000 square meters.
However, the 19th century brought turmoil and decline to Poblet Abbey. The ecclesiastical confiscations of Mendizábal in 1835, under the reign of Isabella II of Spain, led to the closure and secularization of the monastery. The subsequent looting and destruction left the abbey in ruins, its once glorious structures damaged and its royal tombs desecrated. The remains of the Aragonese monarchs were saved and temporarily transferred to the Cathedral of Tarragona.
In 1940, Poblet Abbey experienced a revival when Italian monks of the Cistercian order refounded the monastery. Restoration work began, breathing new life into the ancient structure. Today, the monastic community, though smaller, continues to thrive, preserving the abbey’s rich legacy as a symbol of Catalan heritage and spirituality.
