Cartoixa d'Escala Dei

Escaladei Charterhouse (Catalan: Cartoixa d'Escaladei; Spanish: Cartuja de Scala Dei) is a ruined medieval Carthusian monastery in the municipality of la Morera de Montsant, tucked against the foothills of the Montsant mountains in Catalonia's Priorat wine region. The site is widely regarded as the birthplace of winemaking in the area — the region's very name, Priorat, comes from the Latin "prioratus," referring to the monastery's priory.

Where is it located?

The ruins sit in the province of Tarragona, within the Priorat comarca, surrounded by the steep ridges of the Montsant Natural Park. The nearby hamlet of Escaladei, which takes its name from the charterhouse, serves as the main access point for visitors today. The site is best reached by car from Tarragona or Reus, along winding roads that climb through terraced vineyards typical of the region.

A monastery founded in isolation

Carthusian monks established the charterhouse in the 12th century, making it one of the earliest houses of the order on the Iberian Peninsula. The Carthusians favored remote, austere settings suited to their contemplative rule, and the rugged terrain beneath Montsant offered exactly that kind of seclusion. By the 17th century, the monastery had grown into a significant center of artistic patronage, commissioning paintings and sculpture for its church and cloisters as the complex expanded.

The community's fortunes reversed sharply in the 19th century. Spain's 1835 disentailment of church property forced the monks to abandon Escaladei, and the abandoned buildings were subsequently looted and partly burned. The complex has stood in ruins ever since, though ongoing archaeological and conservation work continues to uncover and stabilize sections of the original layout.

Where Priorat wine began

It was the monks of Escaladei who first planted vines methodically on the slate-covered slopes surrounding the monastery. That soil — locally known as llicorella, a dark schist streaked with quartz — combined with steep terraces and a Mediterranean climate, laid the groundwork for the wine style the region is now known for internationally. Priorat is one of only two Spanish wine regions to hold the top-tier Denominación de Origen Calificada (DOQ) classification, alongside Rioja.

What visitors can see

Walking the ruins today reveals the outline of the former complex: remnants of the church, cloister galleries, individual monks' cells, and sections of the perimeter walls. An on-site interpretation center explains the Carthusian way of life and the monastery's role in shaping Priorat's viticulture. From the grounds, views stretch across the surrounding terraced vineyards to the rocky peaks of Montsant.

Best time to visit

Spring and autumn offer the most comfortable conditions, avoiding the summer heat that can make walking the exposed ruins uncomfortable. Autumn has the added appeal of coinciding with the grape harvest in nearby vineyards, making it easy to pair a visit with wine tasting at a local celler.

Frequently asked questions

What was the Escaladei Charterhouse? A Carthusian monastery founded in the 12th century, one of the order's earliest foundations on the Iberian Peninsula, which became an important center of art by the 17th century.

Why is the region called Priorat? The name comes from the monastery's priory (Latin: prioratus) — the monks were the first to plant vines here, giving rise to today's wine region.

Why is the monastery in ruins today? Spain's 1835 disentailment of church property forced the monks out, after which the buildings were looted and partly burned.

What can visitors see on site? Ruins of the church, cloister, and monks' cells, along with an interpretation center covering the charterhouse's history and its connection to Priorat wine.