The Monastery of Santa Maria de Pedralbes was founded by Elisenda de Montcada, wife of Jaume II (James) in 1326. The monastery was isolated, standing various kilometres from the Old Town of Barcelona and at a distance from the town of Sarrià, which now froms a city district. In addition to the Sister of Saint Clare (a congregation that still lives on the grounds)
The monastery was inhabited by gardeners and servant, forming a great medieval monastic center. The ensemble of the Monastery os formed by a large cloister that is dominated by the church and sorrounded by the various halls and building of the religious community.
The cloister, on a square plan, contains three galleries from the 14th and 15th centuries, forming an excelent example of refined monastic architecture. The Chapter House, from the 15th century, is perhaps the most substantial work of the whole monastery, together with the Chapel of St. Michael, which is decorated entirely with 15th century fresoes by Ferrer Bassa.
Inside the conventual complex is the Monastery Museum. It displays collections of paintings, ceramics, gold- and silverwork, furniture, fabrics, parchments and liturgical ornaments, all of which were connected with the everyday life of the nuns or with the dowry that they brought with them on entering the monastery. Of special note are the paintings from 16th and 17th centuries, including the Triptych of the Epiphany from the Della Robbia workshop, the Rocabertí retable and the Flemish Diptych of the Virgo Lactans and the Pieta.
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