Cartuja de Porta Coeli
A Carthusian monastery founded in 1272 in the green Lullén valley, with four cloisters still home to monks. The interior is closed to visitors, but the grounds and the 1412 Gothic aqueduct, with its twelve pointed arches, can be seen freely from outside.
In the green Lullén valley, deep in the Sierra Calderona, the Porta Coeli Charterhouse surprises you mostly because you don't expect it there. Founded in 1272, it remains a working monastery, home to Carthusian monks who keep a routine of silence and prayer barely touched by the passing centuries.
A medieval monastery with four cloisters
The complex preserves four cloisters and the inward, hushed atmosphere typical of the Carthusian order, one of the most austere and contemplative in the monastic tradition. It's worth knowing before you go: the interior is not open to visitors, as the community still lives there. What's on offer to the traveller is the setting, which is reason enough to make the climb.
The Gothic aqueduct of 1412
The great accessible attraction is the Gothic aqueduct of 1412, its twelve pointed arches rising above the valley. You can admire it freely from the outside, a neat summary of medieval ingenuity for carrying water to the charterhouse.
- Respect the silence: this is an active religious site.
- Pair your visit with a walk around Serra and its natural surroundings.
- Wear comfortable shoes and bring water to explore the area.
Frequently asked questions
Can you visit the inside of the Porta Coeli Charterhouse?
No, the interior is not open because it is still a living monastery inhabited by Carthusian monks; the surroundings and the aqueduct can be enjoyed freely from outside.
How much does it cost to see Porta Coeli Charterhouse?
It is free: although the interior cannot be visited, its setting in the Lullén valley and the Gothic aqueduct can be admired at no cost from outside.
What makes Porta Coeli Charterhouse special?
Founded in 1272 and hidden in the green Lullén valley, it preserves four cloisters and a striking 1412 Gothic aqueduct with twelve pointed arches.
Comments
Sign in with Google to comment and rate
Be the first to comment.