Cistercian Route I: gastronomy in Vallbona de les Monges

The Monastery of Santa Maria de Vallbona de les Monges is the smallest, but the only female monastery on the Cistercian route. From the moment of its construction, in the year 1153, it has always been inhabited by nuns who have tried to preserve it and treat its hosts well, a reputation that endures to the present day. In its history it was considered a place worthy of queens, a fact for which we find many references to women and daughters of the Catalan nobility and, currently, it offers placid accommodation to lovers of tranquility. At the same time, it is recommended for lovers of art and heraldry, since in the tombs of Vallbona you will find a wide collection of sculpted coats of arms of the Catalan nobility.

The monastery is located in the region of Urgell, gastronomically very rich. Recognized for its wine with the Costers del Segre denomination of origin, for the protected geographical indication of chocolate and artisanal nougat from Agramunt and for the virgin olive oil with the Les Garrigues denomination of origin.

Theater Capital... Tàrrega

The capital of Urgell is known inside and outside of Catalonia for the Fira de Teatre al carrer, a theater fair that is held every year at the beginning of September and that fills the streets of the city with actors and plays. This event turns the city of Tàrrega into a bustle of people and shows, including groundbreaking theater and new companies such as the most renowned theater groups in their repertoires.

Beyond these holidays, the city is welcoming and offers us unique corners throughout the year. We will highlight the San Eloi Park, a green area created in 1913 by the residents themselves with the aim of maintaining areas of trees within the town and which is currently much larger and perfectly cared for, it is a symbol of the city where you can stroll and enjoy the tranquility.

In the old core of the city we find unique buildings scattered around the streets of the center that show the passage of the different construction styles of the city. Noteworthy are the Palace of the Marqueses de la Floresta and the Gothic portals of Calle del Carme, the water spring, the work of Carles Buigas, author of the Montjuïc fountains in Plaza del Carme, the Renaissance-style Town Hall and the building of the Chamber of Commerce of the Plaza Mayor and the 14th century church in the Plaza Sant Antoni.

Artisan aromas throughout the region

If we take the C-14 road to the North, we will leave Tàrrega to head towards Agramunt. This municipality is the most tempting in the region with a long tradition of making chocolate and craft nougat. A walk through the center will allow us to get to know the town and contact some of the nougat and stone chocolate artists, foods that we should not miss out on trying.

Taking the same road to the south we will find Verdú, this small municipality has a strong attraction for children as it has the Museum of Toys and Automata, but it is also known for the production of black pottery. Tradition says that each house had a black jug, also called a sillo, outside the street door to give the workers a drink when they returned from the fields. If we walk through the center of Verdú we can enter a workshop where we can see the techniques they use first hand.

Following the same C-14 road to the south and turning to the left we will arrive at Guimerà, this small town is a medieval center built on the river Corb that perfectly preserves its essence. We can take a walk and visit different original buildings as well as taste period food. In the same municipality is the Sanctuary of the Madre de Dios de la Bovera, also of Cistercian order.

For those who want more, we can continue the crossing that we have taken to get to Guimerà to the town of Albio, already in the region of Conca de Barberà, where it is said that the best cheeses in the area are produced.

Before arriving at the Vallbona de les Monges Monastery, we will visit one last municipality, also entirely dedicated to gastronomy. This is Malda. If we return to the C-14 road and take the indicated crossroads on the right, we will arrive at this municipality recognized for its production of oils, included in the Denomination of Origin of Les Garrigues oil.

To Vallbona de les Monges

From Maldà, as well as from a large number of nearby towns, we will find

directions to the Monastery of Santa María de Vallbona de les Monges. The construction of the Monastery began in the 12th century but was not completed until the 16th century. After this number of years with interventions by different master builders, there have been spaces of very different or even mixed styles. The galleries of the cloister, for example, each have a different style, Arabic, Romanesque and Gothic. The properties of this monastery became very extensive in its heyday, at the end of the 14th century, which is why, in addition to the main building, we find buildings owned by the Vallbona nuns scattered throughout the nearby towns, but mainly in Vallbona de les Monges, where these remains have been integrated into the town's buildings.

The war affected the monastic life of Vallbona causing the Monastery to be vacated and looted for short periods of time, but thanks to the persistence of the nuns, the financial help of the nobility and later rehabilitation plans, we can now see the monastery inch by inch almost as it was built.

You will find more information about the Cistercian Route at www.larutadelcister.info.