Monastery of Santa Maria, El Puig

El Puig Monastery of Saint Mary

 

Location: El Puig, Valencia
Tel. 96 147 02 00
Open: Tue- Sat

www.monaseriodelpuig.es.tl

 

Description

The monastery of Santa María del Puig or Royal Monastery of the Mercedarian Fathers of Puig de Santa Maria is located in the municipality of El Puig (Valencia) of the Valencian Community (Spain), just 14 km north of the city of Valencia. Founded by the will of King James I the Conqueror in 1240. Its historical relevance comes from the fact that the definitive confrontation for the conquest of Valencia, the Battle of Puig, was fought in this place in 1237. The Virgin of Puig was considered for centuries the patron saint of the Kingdom of Valencia.

The Monastery continues to hold religious services, you can also visit some rooms of the building such as the cloisters, the Royal hall, the Gothic hall of Jaume I and the reproduction of the sword of King Jaume I. Inside is the National Museum of the Printing and Graphic Work, with rooms set in the small artisanal printing workshops of the 15th century.

 

History

As reported in the "Llibre dels Fets", the Enesa castle was located on the hill in front of which the monastery is located, a key Muslim fortress in the conquest of Balansiya (Valencia). The conquest of this, surrounded by an epic and religious legend, led the king to the desire to found a monastery precisely in this place, donating these lands to Arnau de Cardona, master of the Order of Mercy. Of this initial foundation, which would be a simple Reconquista chapel, there is no trace left, except for the doorway of the current church, but which is not in its original location. This monastery was originally fortified.

 

Closing days or special openings

January 1 (Closed)
January 6: Visit at 12 noon (If it is Monday: closed)
March 19: Visit at 12 noon (If it is Monday: closed)
Maundy Thursday (Morning visits only)
Good Friday (Closed)
June 24: Visit at 12 noon (If it is Monday: closed)
August 15 and 16: Visit at 12 noon (If it is Monday: closed)
October 9 and 12: Visit at 12 noon (If it is Monday: closed)
November 1: Visit at 12 noon (If it is Monday: closed)
December 6 and 9: Visit at 12 noon (If it is Monday: closed)
December 24 (Morning visits only)
December 25 (Closed)
December 31 (Morning visits only)
Every holiday Monday (Closed)

 

Duration of visit

Approximate duration of the visit to the Royal Monastery: one hour.

Entrance donation
Basic Rate €4
General visitors. No prior reservation is necessary.

Reduced Rate €3
Groups of more than 25 people, prior reservation. With free service for every 25 paying people.

Free access
Children under 8 years old (accompanied by their parents, legal guardians or family members)

Pay
Cash or card at the beginning of the visit.

Guided visit
There is no possibility of making a free visit.

Accessibility
The Monastery is not adapted for the disabled.
Access is via the ramp located between the two parking lots (Av. Verge de El Puig)