In the heart of the town of Sant Cugat del Vallès, in the Barcelona region, stands the majestic monastery of Sant Cugat. Founded in the 9th century in honor of the martyr Cugat, it has become one of the most important monastic complexes in Catalonia. The monastery is surrounded by 14th-century ramparts that bear witness to its historical importance. It comprises a church, a cloister and various outbuildings. The church was built between the 12th and 14th centuries. It is Romanesque in style, with Gothic elements. The interior of the church is rich in works of art, including tombs, altarpieces and goldsmith’s and silversmith’s objects.
The cloister is the jewel of the monastery. It is built of ashlar and comprises four galleries, each with 36 capitals. The capitals are decorated with religious and secular scenes, and are considered a masterpiece of Romanesque sculpture. The cloister is a place of contemplation and meditation. It is also a symbol of the community life of the monks.
The Sant Cugat monastery was visited on August 16, 2023.
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