Just half an hour’s drive from Barcelona, a haven of peace and spirituality awaits you in the heart of the Garraf Natural Park. This is the Garraf Monastery, the first Buddhist monastery in Catalonia, a place that has housed a community of Buddhist monks since 1996.
It has become a reference point for those seeking a spiritual retreat amidst the natural beauty of the Mediterranean.
The Garraf Monastery is located in the town of Olivella, near the charming Sitges. This monastery has a fascinating history dating back to the 19th century. Originally, the building was known as the Palau Novella, a luxurious Art Nouveau mansion built in 1890.
Commissioned by Pere Domènech i Grau, a Catalan who made his fortune in Cuba and returned to Catalonia, the Palau Novella was conceived as a “casa de indianos” and was built under the direction of Manel Comas i Thos.
However, Pere Domènech’s plans were cut short due to phylloxera, a plague that devastated his agricultural lands and affected the wine industry. The Domènech family went bankrupt and sold the property.
Over the decades, the building changed hands several times until, in 1996, it was acquired by the Sakya Tashi Ling Buddhist community, which transformed it into the Garraf Monastery.
Catalonia’s first pro-Busdist monastery: spiritual retreat near Barcelona
The Palau Novella, before becoming a Buddhist monastery, was a testimony to the splendor of Catalan modernism.
The building has three floors and a central tower. It retains much of its original architecture and decoration, making it an exceptional site for lovers of history and architecture.
Its spacious rooms and impressive central staircase with sculptures bear witness to its past splendor.
The Garraf Monastery is a place where the fundamental principles of Buddhism find their expression. In Buddhism, it is taught that life is intrinsically linked to suffering and happiness and that both aspects are inseparable.
Buddhist ethics is based on the interconnectedness of everything in the universe and on nonviolence.
In addition to these basic principles, Buddhism is founded on the “Four Noble Truths of the Buddha,” which were revealed in his famous sermon at Sarnath. These truths speak of suffering, its origin and the path that leads to the cessation of suffering.
A visit to the Garraf Monastery
The Garraf Monastery is open to the public and offers the opportunity to explore Buddhist spirituality in a stunning natural setting. Visitors are welcome to stroll through the gardens, walk around the stupa, spin the prayer wheels and experience the serenity of this special place.
