Pedralbes Monastery

Among the great examples of Gothic architecture that Barcelona has preserved, the Royal Monastery of Santa Maria de Pedralbes holds a place all of its own. This is not a single building but an ensemble of monuments that share the same architectural language. That is why it is best explored unhurriedly and as a whole, paying attention to the way its different parts speak to one another.

The name itself already hints at its importance. The title of "royal" attached to the monastery sets it apart from other religious foundations and places it in a category of its own. Anyone arriving with an interest in history will find here an eloquent example of Gothic architecture in the Catalan capital.

Its recent history also includes a curious chapter linked to the art world. In 1993, part of the monastery was handed over to the city to house a portion of the Thyssen-Bornemisza painting collection. For a little over a decade, the Gothic walls thus shared space with a selection from one of the best-known private collections of paintings, an unusual pairing of monumental heritage and museum.

That period came to an end in 2004, when the exhibition moved to the National Art Museum of Catalonia (MNAC). For travellers with a passion for painting, this is a good excuse to round off the day with a visit to that museum, where the works that once hung in Pedralbes can be seen today.

All in all, Santa Maria de Pedralbes is a highly recommended stop for anyone wishing to discover Gothic Barcelona from a different angle to that of the old town, and to see along the way how a former monastic space managed to open up to new cultural uses without losing its character.