account Monasterio de Piedra near Zaragoza
Monasterio de Piedra: An 800-Year-Old Legacy Near Zaragoza
Discover all the magic of a unique and historic natural environment surrounding Monasterio de Piedra, located 100 kilometers from Zaragoza. It's one of the most magical and special places in all of Aragon. A true monumental and scenic gem with a unique history that you can't miss on your next trip to Zaragoza.
If you're planning a route or visit to Monasterio de Piedra Zaragoza, you won't regret purchasing this historical experience. It's an excursion that will take up a full day if you leave from Zaragoza by car, train, or bus towards the town of Nuévalos, where the famous Monasterio de Piedra is located (1.5 hours travel time). When you arrive, you can visit an authentic 13th-century Cistercian monastery, as well as a spectacular 19th-century Historic Garden Park, with countless waterfalls, grottoes, and lush nature. Its facilities are open year-round, and as soon as you enter, you'll see that the monastery is protected by a medieval wall that still retains the historic Tower of Homage.
Discover the Historical Experiences of Monasterio de Piedra
The walls of the 13th-century monastery hide eight centuries of history since its origin in 1218. And you can see the main features of Cistercian architecture there. This monument was built during the transition from Romanesque to Gothic and was the home of monks of the Cistercian Order. Without a doubt, it was a symbol of the expansion of this religious order throughout the Iberian Peninsula.
In 1186, Alfonso II of Aragon and his wife, Sancha of Castile, donated the ancient Castle of Piedra to the monks of Poblet with the mission of founding the Monasterio de Piedra de Zaragoza, which is preserved to this day. Furthermore, this cloister witnessed numerous important events such as the War of Independence and the Confiscation of 1836. And it was also the place where chocolate was made for the first time in Europe, commissioned by Friar Jerónimo Aguilar, who accompanied Hernán Cortés on his trip to Mexico and from there sent the first cocoa along with the recipe. By the 18th century, cocoa had become a common food in the diet of Cistercian monks and guests of this retreat.
The church is the central building, with an ancient adjoining cloister around which are the different monastic rooms used by Cistercian monks: the chapter house, the cellar or winery, the old kitchen, the refectory, and the warming room.
It's a dreamlike tour through a monumental complex with different styles: from Gothic to Baroque, passing through Mudéjar and Renaissance. Additionally, inside the Cistercian monastery, you can also visit the History of Chocolate exhibition (in the Monastic Kitchen), the Carriage Room, the reproduction of the Reliquary Triptych (in the Refectory), and the D.O. Calatayud Wine Museum (belonging to the Wine Routes). Although the building treasures important historical experiences that range from the last stage of Romanesque to the most ornate Baroque, its beauty is eclipsed by its gardens.
Discover the Unparalleled Beauty Treasured by the Monasterio de Piedra Park
Declared a historic garden in 2010, what was the monks' old orchard hides a surprising landscape with a beauty difficult to describe for those who have not seen it before.
During the route along its trails, you can enjoy immense waterfalls like the famous Cola de Caballo (Horsetail), backwaters, monumental trees, grottoes sculpted by the waters like the fantastic Iris Grotto, and unique corners throughout the route, including the first fish farm founded in Spain dedicated to trout breeding and the evocative "Mirror Lake" surrounded by high reddish walls. Its unusual geological location fed by the Piedra River constitutes a unique natural environment due to an astonishing variety of flora and fauna. The approximate duration of the visit to the monastery gardens is usually about two hours.
The astonishing richness present in Monasterio de Piedra, both in history and in nature, makes it a unique place in Europe. Monasterio de Piedra is an ideal place to escape, relax, recharge your batteries, and enjoy its Historic Garden Park during your stay in Zaragoza.
How to get to Monasterio de Piedra by car:
Head along the A-2 highway, towards Madrid-Barcelona, exit Km. 204 (Alhama de Aragón – Monasterio de Piedra); or, on the same highway, towards Barcelona-Madrid, exit Km. 231 (Nuévalos – Monasterio de Piedra).
When arriving by car, you will find two parking areas, conveniently signposted. They are outdoor and free.
How to get to Monasterio de Piedra by train:
The Ave Madrid-Zaragoza-Barcelona train, as well as the Alvia, stops in Calatayud. The journey time is approximately 57 minutes from Madrid (AVE) and 2 hours and 10 minutes from Barcelona (AVE).
Other visits that we recommend for their enormous tourist attraction are the Zaragoza Cathedral, Plaza del Pilar, the Main Theater, the Zaragoza Auditorium, the Goya Museum, El Tubo, the Central Market, the Bullring, the Grand Park, or Plaza España in Zaragoza, among others.
Are you looking for a hotel in Zaragoza to visit Monasterio de Piedra? In that case, three welcoming B&B HOTELS in Zaragoza are waiting for you to fully enjoy your stay in the Aragonese capital at affordable prices.
You will feel at home from the moment you arrive at any B&B HOTELS. We are waiting for you!
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