In the Pedralbes district there is a women's monastery of the same name, founded as early as 1326. Importantly, it is still active – part of the monastery is open to tourists, while part is reserved for the nuns.
This convent was founded by Elisenda de Montcada – the fourth wife of King Jaume II of Spain. She lived here until the end of her days, becoming the head of the Order of Saint Clare. Her body rests in an alabaster sarcophagus, on one side of which she is depicted as a queen, and on the other as a nun.
The monastery was built as a gift for the queen, which is why its exterior and interior decoration are very beautiful. The nuns' cells open onto a three-story cloister. In the small park, a beautiful fountain designed in the Renaissance style murmurs.
One of the cells was built especially for the queen's niece, who became the next abbess after her. The walls of this cell are decorated with frescoes created by one of Catalonia's finest artists, Ferrer Bassa. Today, apart from these monastic frescoes depicting the Passion of Christ and the Seven Joys of Mary, none of his other works remain anywhere in the world.
The monastery complex also has its own museum, which displays paintings, jewelry, church utensils, ceramics, antique furniture, etc. You can also see the kitchen, pharmacy, pantry, and refectory that the nuns used in the past.
