A monastery that dates back more than a thousand years

The history of the monastery of Sant Pau del Camp is shrouded in mystery due to its age. Situated on the edge of the Rambla del Raval, it now finds itself in one of the busiest areas of the neighbourhood and attracts attention because of its rural, rustic appearance.

Its precise origins are unknown although, thanks to the tombstone of Count GuifréBorrell discovered in the 16th century, it is supposed that, when he died in the year 911, the monastery already existed and was established as a prestigious place to bury a member of the House of Barcelona. Built in the era when Raval was outside the city’s wall, its name betrays its origins as a monastery situated in a rural setting.

Where past and present merge

Originally considered to be a Visigothic-style construction due to the pre-Romanesque elements found on the door, the monastery is comprised of a single nave with a cross-shaped floor plan and inside it has a tympanum featuring the image of Jesus with the apostles Peter and Paul. The Romanesque-style exterior of the building is decorated with stone slabs featuring fantastical creatures and human faces. To the south of the monastery is the small cloister featuring lobular arches and a variety of columns and capitals where you can go for a walk and take a break from the hustle and bustle of the neighbourhood. The monastery is surrounded by gardens of the same name featuring large lawns that create a unique and relaxing green space. The monastery forms part of the Raval Cultural project, an initiative that aims to provide everyone with access to the neighbourhood’s artistic and cultural heritage.