The Monastery of Saint Mary of Valldigna was founded by King James II The Just.  According to historical tradition, the king, after battles against the Muslims in Alicante and Murcia, passed through a valley  (then called Allandec) and, impressed by its fertility and beauty, said  to the abbot of the Cistercian monastery of Santes Greus that this was a "Valley worthy of a monastery of his order" and the abbot answered " Worthy Valley" (Valldigna)!  On March 15, 1298 James II gave the decree granting the lands to abbot of Santes Creus for a new Cistercian foundation.  Since then the valley has been known by the name of "Valldigna".

The gothic 14^th century style used in and around the monastery's cloisters needed serious renovation after an earthquake in 1396 and the place was further enriched by baroque additions following a second earthquake in 1644. In 1835 the War of Independence brought an end to the wealth and power of the monasteries. 

The monastery was converted for the use of private agriculture and it was extensively plundered for its construction materials. The majority of buildings were pulled down and the stonework sold off. The old gothic arches of the abbot's own cloisters now form a part of a palace in Madrid! Other pieces were passed on to the parishes of the region …leaving behind the robbed out ruin of today. As recently as 1991, the Valencian government acquired the monastery and restoration work began. Nowadays, the monastery is an arts centre and reference point of Valencian culture.

The main entrance to the monastery grounds (above) is made through Abbot Amau of Saranyó's "New Gate" (1357-1387).  It includes the rudimentary chapel dedicated to worship outside of the monastery.  In the central is an arch flanked for two projecting square towers with crowning castellation.  At the apex of the arch you can see three heraldic shields (the central bears the four bars of the Crown of Aragon and the shields either side have the arms of the abbot Amau of Saranyó). The door leads through to an atrium with a cross pointed vault (known as "crucería" in Spanish …doesn't translate). This entrance was restored by the abbot Feliu Garix in the 18th century The walls either side of the main gate underwent three phases of construction in the 14th, 16th and 18th centuries. There is documentary evidence of a moat and drawbridge …but no present-day physical evidence that backs this up.

The visitors' centre is to the right of this shot (right) of inside of the main gate. 18^th century, this was originally an annex building that housed an oil press and a granary. A modest storehouse that had no roof when it was allocated its new role.

THE CLOISTER OF SILENCE (panoramic view below) 14th Century XV Space of communication among the monks, with a central patio including the bathhouse.  Enclosed by four covered galleries, it was used to stroll, to read or to meditate. 

The cloister is the principal element of Cistercian monasteries, around which lay the remainder of the buildings that make up the monastery.  Although the arches of the four galleries have disappeared, it is still possible to observe the foundations of the walls and the supports for the arches.  In the lateral walls you can see the arch brackets and of the traces of the ceiling vaults exist.  In the central patio, opposite the door (to the left of this shot)  the refectory was the bathhouse. There is some evidence of a floor above the cloisters.