The Knights Templar built a monastery complex here shortly after Lleida was taken from the Muslims in 1149. It was later expanded into a fortress in the 17th century. Today you can still see the original Romanesque Església de Santa Maria de Gardeny and a hefty tower. It's a 2km walk southwest of the centre.
Castell de Gardeny
Catalonia
Lonely Planet's must-see attractions
0.9 MILES
Lleida’s ‘old cathedral’, enclosed within a later fortress complex, towers above the city from its commanding hilltop location. Work began on the…
Reial Monestir de Santa Maria de Poblet
28.88 MILES
The largest monastery of the Cistercian Route, Unesco-listed Santa Maria de Poblet was founded by monks from southern France in 1150, and rose rapidly to…
Reial Monestir de Santa Maria de Vallbona
25.17 MILES
Eight monges (nuns) still live at this 12th-century institution, the only women's monastery along the Cistercian Route. Years of restoration have cleared…
0.5 MILES
This brilliant, expansive museum brings together artefacts reaching back to the Stone Age, through Roman remains, Visigothic relics and medieval art into…
29.95 MILES
A five-minute walk southwest of Gratallops, Clos Mogador is one of Priorat's outstanding wineries, founded in 1979 by pioneering French winemaker René…
0.67 MILES
This impressive Catalan art gallery focuses particularly on work by 19th- and 20th-century Lleida-associated artists, such as surrealist sculptor Leandre…
0.53 MILES
This well-refurbished, triple-naved 12th-century Romanesque church is worth admiring for its elegant octagonal bell tower and the gargoyles leaping from…
29.01 MILES
Perched on a hilltop 2km north of Gratallops, Buil & Giné produces a range of Montsant DO and Priorat DOQ wines (plus Rueda and Toro DO wines in Castilla…
Nearby Catalonia attractions
0.5 MILES
This brilliant, expansive museum brings together artefacts reaching back to the Stone Age, through Roman remains, Visigothic relics and medieval art into…
0.53 MILES
This well-refurbished, triple-naved 12th-century Romanesque church is worth admiring for its elegant octagonal bell tower and the gargoyles leaping from…
0.54 MILES
The imposing 18th-century La Seu Nova, at the heart of town, was built when La Seu Vella was turned into a barracks.
0.67 MILES
This impressive Catalan art gallery focuses particularly on work by 19th- and 20th-century Lleida-associated artists, such as surrealist sculptor Leandre…
0.9 MILES
Lleida’s ‘old cathedral’, enclosed within a later fortress complex, towers above the city from its commanding hilltop location. Work began on the…
0.92 MILES
Above La Seu Vella, at the top of town, are the remains of Lleida's 9th-century Islamic fortress, rebuilt between the 12th and 14th centuries, and with…
7. Reial Monestir de Santa Maria de Vallbona
25.17 MILES
Eight monges (nuns) still live at this 12th-century institution, the only women's monastery along the Cistercian Route. Years of restoration have cleared…
8. Reial Monestir de Santa Maria de Poblet
28.88 MILES
The largest monastery of the Cistercian Route, Unesco-listed Santa Maria de Poblet was founded by monks from southern France in 1150, and rose rapidly to…