We will departure from Barcelona early in the morning direction southwest, towards the MONASTERY OF POBLET. 

POBLET’S MONASTERY is a Cistercian abbey declared a World Heritage Site by Unesco. A large architectural ensemble with almost 1000 years of history, among the 3 largest and most complete in the world, which surrounds the church built in the 12th century and linked to a fortified royal residence. We can see, still a community of 140 monks living in the monastery. 

The architectural complex offers us an unparalleled visit, in which we can see the dining room and the library, which conserve the original 13th century cruiser ceiling; the chapter room; the old kitchen or the old bedroom room among many other spaces. 

After the visit, we will continue our trip going to the region of origin of the Priorat wine. A visit to one of the wineries in this region is essential to understand its flavor potency and the soil’s orology. The area offers countless family wineries. We will focus on the town of Siurana and Cornuella de Montsant 

To have a special ending for our tour, we will go in the PRIORAT wine region,  where we will stop at FALSET, to get to know the “Wine Cathedral”, a modernist building built by the architect of VallsCésar Martinell, a disciple of AntoniGaudí. It is one of the most representative wineries in Catalonia. 

The “Plaza de la Quartera” is surrounded by old porches and is one of the few in Catalonia built on a slope. In that same square we find the two palaces, that of the Dukes of Medinaceli, of Renaissance style (1630) and that of the Counts of Azara or Casa Grande. IN THE AREA WE WILL VISIT 

We will visit the CASTLE OF THE CONDES DE PRADES, currently enabled as a Wine Interpretation Center and known as Castell del Vi. (S. XII). 

Finally, we will have an eno-gastronomic activity at the Agrícola Falset Marçà, where we will do a small tasting tasting.  

In the afternoon, return to the city of Barcelona

Priorat and its History 

Located in the south of Catalonia, it is part of the regions of New Catalonia, the territory inhabited by the Saracens until the s. XII It conserves vestiges of past times that make time travel, among those that are farther from the Saracen fortress of Siurana, capital of the valiato of the same name in the interior where the remains of one of the oldest mosques of Catalonia. The Christian reconquest, which began Count-King Ramón Berenguer IV, consolidated the building of churches and monasteries with the aim of spreading the new faith. 

Poblet Monastery and its History 

It was founded in 1150 by order of Count Ramón Berenguer IV. The first monks to stay were Cistercians and were originally from the Abbey of Fontfroide, in France. The monastery always had the protection of the Crown of Aragon and important noble families, lived its peak after the construction of the Royal Pantheon (1340) by order of Peter the Ceremonious. He himself, and other great kings, lie there. 

With the descent of the Royal House of Aragon, the loss of monks and, especially, the confiscation of Mendizábal in 1835, the monastery fell in total abandonment and was stripped. But, in 1940 a group of Cistercian monks from Italy recovered the monastic life and made it reborn (a community of 25 Benedictine monks currently lives there). Rebuilt and protected by UNESCO. 

Siruana 

It is one of the most beautiful villages in the province. Set on a huge rock limestone rock and surrounded by the Estopiñá torrent, it has a magnificent panoramic view of the Ciurana river valley, along with its reservoir. It was declared a picturesque place in 1961. Its natural landscapes include rock formations such as the twin rock of the Siuranella, the Salto de la Reina Mora or la Trona, and the cliffs of Arbolí. 

Located at the east end of the Sierra de Prades, 737m above sea level, on a mountain that is shaped like a peninsula that dominates the valleys of the Siurana River and Cornudella. It can be reached by a paved track from the town of Cornudella, also by a jungle path from Prades or there is the option to reach on foot by several roads and trails. 

Charterhouse of Escaladei 

It is an abandoned monastery in a valley, with an incredible view as it is surrounded by the Montsant mountains. Despite being semi-abandoned, it has an exceptional charm and magic. 

Located in the Priory region. Founded in the 12th century, it is considered to be the first Charterhouse of the Iberian Peninsula. According to the legend, the monks chose this place because of a pastor who had dreamed of angels who climbed to heaven by a supported ladder that was supported by a pine tree, so the name of Escaladei in its translation means “God’s ladder.”

All year except Christmas, New Year and St. Stephen

This tour includes: 

• Poblet Monastery Entrance
  

• Visit medieval village of Montblanc
  

• Visit Vi Cathedral in Falset
  

• Tasting in a wine cellar of Priorat
  

• Guide during the whole tour 

• Maximum capacity: 15 people.
• Meeting point: Pick up at the Hotel of Hospedaje.
• It is essentialto have received the reservation confirmation.