Cartoixa d'Escaladei (Carthusian Monastery of Santa Maria d'Escaladei)

Wander around this monastery founded by French monks from Provence, who established here the first charter-house on the Iberian peninsular. They chose one of the most beautiful places to site the monastery, at the foothills of the Montsant mountain range, where a shepherd had dreamt of angels coming down from the sky on a ladder resting on a tall pine tree.  

Scala Dei was a fully working monastery until 1835, experiencing moments of great riches and splendour. During the seven centuries the monks lived here, they built mills and taught different farming techniques which included planting vineyards on the steep slate-based slopes of the region. Thanks to these monks, the Priorat is now famous for its wines.

The Prior, whose name was taken to define the region, was in charge of the villages within his territory and was also in charge of their jurisdiction.

In the nineteenth century, the monks fled due to the seizing of their land by the state. The cells, cloisters, church and hostalry buildings were abandoned.

In just two years, this impressive monastery was converted into a ruin, due to the local peasant farmers ransacking and burning it, tired of being submitted to the tirany of tithes, serfdom and oppression.

Nowadays this historical site shares its name with the internationally famous wine appellation DOC Priorat which can be found in the central area of today's county of the same name.

The ruined monastery is open to the public. Visitors are guided around its three cloisters, church and refectory, whilst learning the purpose of each building. There is a reconstructed cell and another cell, which was consolidated during 2007, shows the stone basins which the apothecary monk used.

The Carthusian Monastery of Scala Dei (Escaladei in Catalan) is one of the most important historic sites of the Priorat.

Opening Times:

From 1 October to 31 May
From 10:00 to 13:00  and from 15:00 to 17:00

From 1 June to 30 September
From 10:00 to 13:30  and from 16:00 to 19:30

Closed on Mondays (not including bank holiday Mondays),  25 and 26 December and 1 and 6 January.

Guided Tours:

From 1st October to 31st May
Saturdays and Sundays, guided tours at 11.15 (in Spanish), 12.15 (in Catalan) and 16.00 (in Catalan) (except Sunday afternoon from the Constitution bank holiday weekend (Pont de la Puríssima - 6th and 8th December ) until 28th Februrary)

During the week, tours are available by appointment only.

Easter Week: From Maundy Thursday to Easter Sunday: 10.45 (in Catalan), 11.45 (in Spanish), 12.45 (in Catalan) and 16.00 (in Catalan) and 5pm. Easter Monday: 11.15 (in Spanish), 12.15 (in Catalan) and 16.00 (in Catalan)

Summer Timetable From 1st June to 30th September
Saturdays, Sundays and bank holidays: 11.15 (in Spanish), 12.15 (in Catalan), 17.00 (in Catalan) and 18.00 (in Catalan)

Winter Timetable From 15th July to 15th September 
Daily at 11.15 (in Spanish), 12.15 (in Catalan), 17.00 (in Catalan) and 18.00 (in Catalan)

During August, the tours are also 10.30 (in Catalan), 11.30 (in Spanish), 12.30 (in Catalan) and in the afternoon, the timetable is 16.30 (in Catalan), 17.30 (in Spanish) and 18.30 (in Catalan).

There is also a written short guide book for those people who wish to do the unguided tour.

Cartoixa d’Escala-dei
Camí de la Cartoixa, s/n.
43379 Escala-dei
La Morera del Montsant - Tarragona

Tel. 977 82 70 06
www.mhcat.cat