“Monestir” means “monastery” in Catalan and this one, with its beginnings way back in the middle of the 12th century, happens to be a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Currently, some 28 monks still keep the place spiritually alive and, curiously, this particular order–Cistercian–has a connection with another monastery/retreat/farm near Snowmass, Colorado: St. Benedict’s Monastery, outside of Snowmass.
What would a medievel peasant–or even an “enlightened” medievel scholar–think about an aircraft (UFO!) zooming across the sky above their walled city?
The limestone blocks on the exterior walls show serious signs of erosion in some places. At some point, they will need to be restored. Right now, they would be wonderful to climb…but no climbing allowed on holy sites, of course:
Ceiling curves and lines:
Gothic verticality:
Classic Gothic ceiling again:
This is the largest room in the monastery, what apparently was once the common dormitory for the monks–when there were many more of them, I would assume. Snores probably echoed horrendously throughout the gallery. It’s a little narrow for use as a football field, but probably near long enough. Appropriately, a God-beam shines through the large window to illuminate the interior of the room (and our spirits):
The church altar:
This was, at one time, the official burial site for the kings and queens of Aragon. Their ornate marble tombs can be seen in the church near the main altar:
I can’t get enough of the ceiling lines but I suppose that is what the architects intended–that I cast my pensive and oh-so-human and sinful gaze toward the heavens:
The ramparts that protect the palace, monastery, and church complex:
Shadow play in the winter sun on the walls of Poblet:
The vineyards, which are still operated by the monks, are lined by walls as well. Each turret a representation of the commonality of the monks and, indeed, all of us mere human beans in the face of God, Death, and the Great Unknown. Maybe?
