Charterhouse D'Escaladei

It had been many years since I visited the monastery of Scala Dei, I was very young and went with my father. It was completely derelict and when walking around you were in fear of rocks falling on your head! After my last visit, I was pleased to see that this important Catalan religious center has been restored. The restoration has been worth it and for a small fee (€ 3), you can go inside. It is located in the Priorat region and takes its name from the old priory of Scala Dei. It was founded in the twelfth century and is the first Spanish monastery. The site was chosen for the austere and contemplative life of the monks, isolated completely from the world to fulfill their celibate and meditative duties.

La Cartuja de Escaladei is in Escaladei, in the municipality of the Morera del Montsant (Priorat). It was a Carthusian monastery, founded in the twelfth century. It is considered the first monastery of the Iberian Peninsula. You can visit the ruins where you can admire the Baroque portal of the Mother of God, the church and a reconstructed cell, allowing us to imagine the way of life of the Carthusian monks.