The Hostatgeria de Celma Hotel*** finds its place in very calm and quiet surroundings with about 200 people living in the village dedicated to agriculture. North-eastwards we can see the Santes Creus Monastery on the right side of a very small river of "en Prat" (left of the river Gaià). All the terrain of "Les Pobles" belongs to the Penedès region. At the far end in the interior of the land one observes the mountain region one of the most important wood extensions of Catalunya and there stands the old Celma Manor. Its attractions are the vineyards and the vegetable gardens all dotted with pines and beyond that the mountain Montagut and the mountain range of Montmell. What really captivates the eye is the proximity of the Royal Monastery of "Santa Maria de Santes Creus". The monks established themselves there in the year 1168 and in 1174 they started work on the church, the chapter house, the pavilion, the dormitories and the lay-out of the Cistercian cloister. In the XII century the library counted more than 40 manuscripts and 22 more were written before the year 1213. Due to economic problems the work was stopped until in the year 1276. Peter II, the Great, initiated the actual royal palace. From 1280 onwards the "Scriptorium" received a great development from a well known historical and epic school. They produced the Latin-written book of "Llibre dels Feits" (The history of the Apostles) a work of Pere Marsili. The abbot named Peter Alegre had the pantheon constructed for King Jaume II and Blanca of Naples. In 1313 he started the works of the major cloister and the refectory and in 1314 he started the construction of the dome. The cloister which was continued and finished by Reinard Fonoll between 1332 and 1326 introduced the late English gothic style. During Ferrera's Abbacy the royal palace was enlarged but Peter III, "the Ceremonious" preferred to have the royal patronage established in Poblet which prevented the fortifications already constructed (1376-1378) from receiving the subsequent expansion on the monumental part. Abbot Porta gave orders to have the main altarpiece constructed in gothic style which was realized by Lluís Borrassà in the year 1410. Towards the year 1520 Abbot Tolrà had some abbot's rooms constructed in the royal palace done in the Renaissance style; his successor Abbot Valls imposed classic studies and the Greek School of Santes Creus which lasted 200 years had some hundred Greek works built. During their period the library possessed some 262 manuscripts and 150 incunables. The construction of the tower ordered by Abbot Contijoc showed the summit of the Renaissance style; in the year 1640 a new palace for the Abbots was constructed on top of the old hospital for the poor. The main altar of the church was substituted by sculptor Josep Tremulles in the year 1646. In 1733 the infirmary was constructed and the refectory was extended and lost its gothic elements. In 1820 the convent was eliminated and the properties were sold at auction. In 1823 the community was reintegrated and the Monastery was finally abandoned in 1835 due to the incidents of Reus and Barcelona in July in that same year. In the year 1921 the Monastery was declared a National Heritage and this first patronage initiated in 1931 the total restoration of the Monastery continued intensively by the Commissionary of the Generalitat (Catalan Government) during the years 1936-1938. From 1947 onwards the Santes Creus Bibliographic files started taking care of the research, of the publications and the promotion of the monument. The Patronage starts its conservation and reparations in 1951 under the surveyance of the Catalan Government "La Generalitat de Catalunya" that has become meanwhile its owner. In 1974 the Museum was opened and several cultural and artistic events started to take place. Nowadays to visit the Monastery is a real must. Its architecture forms an important part of the "Cistercian Route" together with the Poblet Monastery and that of Vallbona de les Monges. Links The "Celma" name and the Order of the Templars. The Villagesm land of "grallers". El municipio de Aiguamúrcia. Link about of the "Ruta del Cister". Monastery of Santes Creus