The street to the monastery……….I was fascinated by those little bells hanging from the wrought iron! We were dropped off, by our personal guide, to this quiet neighborhood spot, to spend some time at the monastery.
The Monastery of Pedralbes, was founded by Queen Elisenda de Montcada in 1327 with the support of her husband, King James II. The Poor Clare Order, the female branch of the Order of St. Francis, resided here, virtually uninterrupted, until 1983. Now it is a museum and undergoing further restorations, but I am so glad we were able to see this beautiful, peaceful place!
First for the outside……..
next the inner gardens……
The herb garden for the apothecary…….
was inside the inner courtyard………
with the fountain……
or two, some with a doorway of sorts……….
So many geometric designs…….and tiles……
Following the stone floors……..
Ah! The first door gate……..notice the door that opens was made for very short people……
and old, old artwork with doorway nooks……
and narrow latched doors……
and these cubby doors……..what were they used for?
Some doors were black…….
and some doorways had very narrow steps that got steeper and steeper as you went up………
in this niche, artwork and a tiled altar…….
and entering the gate…….
leading to a vaulted chapel………
Here we have a door with the luxury of windows too ……
and one of my must see rooms…….the kitchen……..huge!
I can’t leave out this nun…..she probably was in charge of the kitchens….
and one last look at the doors on the street ……
PS The paintings in the dormitory are worth the visit alone. There was no electronic guard rail keeping you six feet or further from the art! You could get up close and personal! I was so shocked! However, out of courtesy and respect, that I could view the art like this, I did not take any pictures. There was also a nun there, who looked like she could pull you by the ear to detention, just to keep you respectful of your surroundings……….
This stop was another on the first day of our exploring with Barcelona Day Tours. I can not begin to tell you how many places we saw and explored with Christian, as our personal guide and driver. If you are visiting Barcelona I recommend them highly. Their personal service and attention to details (especially finding points of interest that we would enjoy, off the beaten path) made the visit to Barcelona that more special! Another stop shortly! We are moving right along!
This is just one of many photos in the Thursday Door Collection featured by Norm2.0! Won’t you join in or take a peak at all the doors?
ThatTravelLadyInHerShoes 
Love all the floors and doors! And so glad this monastery is preserved right down to the nun in the floor. What a place! Have never been to Barcelona, but your post makes me want to put it on my ever-lengthening bucket list!
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Oh I can relate to the ever changing bucket list! I have been looking at New Zealand and I have the next two years already booked with other places!
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Wow – what a treasure! Just the outside alone would have been worth the visit for me. I would imagine all the women bustling about doing their various duties.
But the name – The Poor Clare Order? That’s not exactly a resounding endorsement of the place … “poor” Clare?! Or am I interpreting this wrongly?
… and please don’t tell me this nun was buried in the kitchen?
Great photos though – thanks for the tour 🙂
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The Catholic Church has a way all it’s own, the Clare’s are always “poor.” I think it refers to they had to be supported by wealthy people outside the church, they had no income. This monastery also had a hospital at one time and of course the apothecary, so they treated people from the get go I expect. No that nun was buried outside the kitchen in the stone walkway around the courtyard! Off I thought! Queen Elisenda there too in a better spot and a much better tomb. She started this monastery and lived there after her husband died.
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So beautiful, love the architecture in Spain!
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Thanks I loved Spain so much we are starting our Vaca this year in Barcelona and going East from there!
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Wow what a wonderful discovery. I find places like this just captivating.
Excellent shots of some wonderful old doors 🙂
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Some beautiful door – that kitchen was really made to last!
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What a beautiful place, doors and all! I’d love a kitchen that size…with modern appliances.
janet
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Janet that photo showed only half of the kitchen! My other photo of it didn’t turn out so good! Got a blur!!!!!
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OK, I’ll amend my statement. I’d be happy with a kitchen the size of that half…with modern appliances. 🙂
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Lovely, the ironwork is beautiful.
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Oh, some lovely doors and what a beautiful monastery, so peaceful, all those cloisters… Thanks for sharing.
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