Sant Joan de les Abadesses Monastery and the Santíssim Misteri

What it is

The monastery of Sant Joan de les Abadesses is 11 km from Ripoll, up the River Ter. It was founded in 885 by Guifré el Pilós and his wife Guinedella as a community of Benedictine nuns: it was the first women's monastery in Catalonia, and their daughter Emma governed it as its first abbess. In 1017 the nuns left and the monastery passed to canons regular.

The present church was consecrated in 1150, in the time of Abbot Ponç de Monells, and it is one of the great examples of monumental Romanesque architecture of the 12th century in Catalonia. It was restored from 1912 under the direction of Josep Puig i Cadafalch.

What you will see

• The Santíssim Misteri. A Descent from the Cross of 1251 with seven life-size wooden figures, still in the place it was made for. In 1426 an incorrupt host, placed there in 1251, was discovered in Christ's forehead, and since then it has been venerated under that name.
• The Romanesque church, consecrated in 1150.
• The Gothic cloister, from the 15th century.
• A Renaissance building attached to the south transept.
• The chapel of the Mare de Déu dels Dolors, with a Baroque dome.
• The museum, opened in 1975, with works from the 8th to the 20th century: sculpture, painting, textiles and goldsmithing. Many pieces are still used at the great festivals.

Opening hours

• June: Monday to Saturday, 10:00 to 13:00 and 16:00 to 18:00, except Thursday, when it is closed. Sunday, 10:00 to 13:00.
• July and August: Monday to Saturday, 10:00 to 13:00 and 16:00 to 18:00. Sunday, 10:00 to 13:00. Open every day.
• September to May: every day 10:00 to 13:00, except Thursday, when it is closed; on Saturday, also 16:00 to 18:00.

It is a parish church with daily Mass at 11:00 on weekdays, at 20:00 on Saturdays and the eve of holidays, and at 12:00 on Sundays and holidays: keep those times in mind when planning your visit.

Tickets

• General: €5.
• Reduced: €3 for groups and pensioners; €1 for school groups.
• Free: under-12s and residents of the town.

The ticket includes the monastery and the museum. Allow an hour for the visit.

Guided tour with the Palau de l'Abadia

Every Saturday at 11:30, the guided tour takes in the monastery, the Palau de l'Abadia and the town, with its history, legends and traditions. It costs €10 for adults, €7.80 for pensioners and young people, and €2 for children. It leaves from the Sant Joan de les Abadesses tourist office. For groups there are tours by appointment all year round. Information on 972 720 013.

How to get there

From Ripoll, by car, along the Ter road, about 11 km. If you have time, the prettiest way is the Ferro i Carbó greenway, paved and flat, on foot or by bike: about 10 km to the former Sant Joan station. From there, cross the Ter over the Gothic bridge and climb up to the old town.

With children

The visit is short and under-12s do not pay. The Santíssim Misteri, with its life-size figures, impresses older children. The monastery offers educational worksheets for school groups. With the greenway, the day becomes a bike ride with a reward at the end.