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Photo: JoanKeops, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
The Carthusian Monastery of Santa Maria d'Escaladei was founded in the 12th century by Alfonso el Casto and was the first Carthusian monastery in the Iberian Peninsula. Around 1203, thanks to the generous donations of King Peter the Catholic, they were located in their final location, in the desert of the Vall de l'Oliver, towards the interior of the mountain range. In 1215, they received the order from the Archbishop of Tarragona to leave the monastery to preach against the Cathar heresy that was spreading throughout Catalonia and Occitania. The 14th and 15th centuries are considered the golden age of the Carthusian order and are also the period of maximum construction of new monasteries in many countries: The Carthusian Monastery of Escaladei was one of the most important monasteries in Catalonia. The extensive heritage included many territorial possessions, with direct dominion over their villas and rustic properties, livestock, censuses of all kinds and other goods. At the end of the 16th century or at the beginning of the 17th century, a time of consolidation of its temporal domains, with great influence and prestige, the Carthusian Monastery of Escaladei began a major architectural reform. By the Mendizábal Decree of Confiscation of 1835, the monks were forced to abandon the monastery, expropriated from their lands. They took everything they could, but their famous library was dispersed throughout the Spanish territory. In 1992 it opened its doors to the public.
Cartoixa d'Escaladei, or Chapterhouse of Scala Dei, was a monastery of the Carthusian order in the southern Catalonia. It was founded in the 12th century, was an important centre for art in the 17th century and started the planting of vines in the region that became later known as Priorat due to the vineyards of the monks.
© OpenStreetMap contributors
A small projection of the cliff with magnificent views of the Priorat region.
Parc Astronòmic Muntanyes de Prades
At night, around 23:00, the night activity takes place, which takes place on the outskirts of Prades (3 minutes walk, easily accessible from the town center along a red-lit path). It is recommended to be well-warmed, long pants and a good coat. Even in summer the temperature drops to 10-12 °C.