The Classical Historian
  • Home
    • Start Here
    • What is the Classical Historian?
    • How is our approach unique?
    • What is the Socratic Discussion in History
    • Testimonials
  • Store
    • All Products
    • Curriculum Bundles
    • Games
    • Video Courses >
      • TSOL Video Course
      • High School History with Michael Allen
    • Federal Holidays
    • Constitution Bee
    • American Civics
  • Charter/Co-ops
    • Charter/Co-ops Info
    • Teacher Training >
      • Teacher Newsletters
  • Contact
  • Support
    • Q and A
    • Free Primary Sources
    • John's Blog >
      • Jessica's Blog
    • Videos and PodCasts >
      • My Life under Communism Podcast
    • Video Samples
    • Mac
  • Online Academy
    • Online Classes Registration and Info
    • Schedule
    • Our Teachers
    • Materials
    • Samples/Testimonials
    • Login instructions
  • Dolphin Society
    • Information

El Monasterio de Poblet

8/7/2016

0 Comments

 
Picture
This week, my friend and I went to the Royal Monastery of Santa Maria in Poblet, Tarragona. This monastery, which was only about a half an hour drive from Tarragona, was spectacular. The whole drive to the monastery set up grand expectations for the monastery itself, and they were met and exceeded. From the outside, the monastery did not seem large at all, but after passing through the surrounding walls, we were surprised by the size of the monastery. Large walkways, tall ceilings, and tall and thick walls brings to attention the beautiful Romanesque architecture. But, instead of being decorated in a really ornate way, the builders of the monastery had focused on simplicity, so as to not create a distraction for the studious monks. It was in this simplicity, however, which demonstrated beauty.
​
In 1150, the monastery was founded by monks of the Benedictine order. This monastery is one out the three Cistercian monasteries which belonged to the Crown of Aragon. While we took a tour in the monastery, we were surprised to see the tombs of many of the Kings and Queens of Aragon in the church. The remains of Edmundo de la Croix, Alfonso V of Aragon, Enrique de Trastamara, Martin I of Aragon, Francisco Roures (archbishop of Tarragona), Juana of Aragon, the children of Pedro IV, and other children can be found in tombs in two arches in the church, among others. On the outside of these tombs, sculptors designed full-life images of them, to remind the public of who had been buried there.

During our tour, we noticed that some of the statues were damaged, while others looked like they were unblemished. The tour guide told us that in 1835, the Prime Minister during the rule of Isabella II, Mendizabal, ordered the closing of all of the monasteries in Spain, and opening the land up to the public. The added property was seen as a source of wealth to the country because the monasteries were not compensated for their loss, but this decision just ended up in vandalism to the monasteries with heartbreaking loss to paintings and other valuables. In 1935, the land was returned back to the church. And in 1940, Italian monks of the same order came and reoccupied it. Ever since the reopening of the monastery, the monks have been working to replace the stolen and broken pieces.

Now, the monks work and study throughout the day. The monastery is the home to twenty-seven professed monks, one oblate, two novices, and one familiar. Throughout our visit, I was in awe of all of the rich history of the monastery. The silence and tranquility helped make the experience a peaceful and meditative one. I couldn’t help but envy the monks in their peaceful study environment, away from all of the noise of the world, but still in contact with other people and visitors. I’m sure I will take back some of the things I learned from this visit, and value moments of silence in the future.

0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Picture

    Jessica De Gree

    Jessica teaches 5th grade English and History as well as 11th grade Spanish III at a Great Hearts Academy in Glendale, AZ. In addition to teaching, she  coaches JV girls basketball and is a writing tutor for The Classical Historian Online Academy. Jessica recently played basketball professionally in Tarragona, Spain, where she taught English ESL and tutored Classical Historian writing students. In 2018, she received her Bachelor's degree in English and Spanish from Hillsdale College, MI. 

    Archives

    April 2020
    March 2020
    September 2019
    August 2019
    June 2019
    January 2019
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    October 2014

    Categories

    All
    A Conversation Series
    Communism
    Culture
    Education
    Environment
    Government
    Hillsdale College
    History
    Spain
    Sports
    Travel Blog

    RSS Feed

CLASSICAL HISTORIAN MISSION
​
​
Classical Historian educates and inspires youth to seek the truth in history and to champion individual liberty and virtue. ...more

​SUPPORT
Contact us
Q & A
​Testimonials
RESOURCES
Primary Sources
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
  • Home
    • Start Here
    • What is the Classical Historian?
    • How is our approach unique?
    • What is the Socratic Discussion in History
    • Testimonials
  • Store
    • All Products
    • Curriculum Bundles
    • Games
    • Video Courses >
      • TSOL Video Course
      • High School History with Michael Allen
    • Federal Holidays
    • Constitution Bee
    • American Civics
  • Charter/Co-ops
    • Charter/Co-ops Info
    • Teacher Training >
      • Teacher Newsletters
  • Contact
  • Support
    • Q and A
    • Free Primary Sources
    • John's Blog >
      • Jessica's Blog
    • Videos and PodCasts >
      • My Life under Communism Podcast
    • Video Samples
    • Mac
  • Online Academy
    • Online Classes Registration and Info
    • Schedule
    • Our Teachers
    • Materials
    • Samples/Testimonials
    • Login instructions
  • Dolphin Society
    • Information