Nuestra Señora de las Fuentes

Nuestra Señora de las Fuentes is a former Carthusian monastery near Sariñena, in the province of Huesca, Aragon. Also known as the Cartuja de los Monegros, after the arid steppe region of Los Monegros where it stands, it was the first Carthusian monastery founded in the Kingdom of Aragon and the fifteenth on the territory of present-day Spain.

How to get there?

The monastery sits within the municipality of Sariñena, in the heart of the Los Monegros comarca, roughly between Huesca and Zaragoza. Driving is the most practical option, since the surrounding landscape is flat, open farmland with straightforward local roads leading out from Sariñena. It's worth checking access conditions locally before setting off, as the site is a former, secularized monastic foundation rather than an active abbey with regular visiting hours.

What will you see?

The complex was founded in 1507 by the Counts of Sástago. This foundation marked the beginning of the Carthusian order's presence in Aragon — a strict, contemplative monastic community whose roots trace back to 11th-century France and the rule of Saint Bruno of Cologne. Carthusians combined a hermit-like solitary life with a shared rhythm of prayer, which is why their monasteries were typically built far from towns, in places suited to silence and withdrawal — much like the countryside around present-day Sariñena.

Today, Nuestra Señora de las Fuentes stands as a former monastery, a testament to the Carthusian order's centuries-long presence in the region and one of the few sites of its kind on the map of Los Monegros. The name itself, "de las Fuentes" (of the springs), points to water as the decisive factor behind the original choice of this particular location — a resource of special value in the otherwise dry Monegros landscape.

When to visit?

Los Monegros has a continental climate, with hot summers and cold winters typical of inland Aragon. The best time to visit is spring (April to June) or early autumn (September to October), when temperatures are milder and the region's steppe scenery is at its most striking. Summer heat can be intense, so it's best to plan any visit for the morning hours.

Frequently asked questions

What is Nuestra Señora de las Fuentes? It's a former Carthusian monastery in the municipality of Sariñena, in the province of Huesca, Aragon, also known as the Cartuja de los Monegros.

When was the monastery founded? It was founded in 1507 on the initiative of the Counts of Sástago.

Why is this site historically significant? It was the first Carthusian monastery founded in the Kingdom of Aragon and the fifteenth in the whole of present-day Spain, making it a notable milestone in the order's history on the Iberian Peninsula.

Is the monastery still an active abbey? No — Nuestra Señora de las Fuentes is now a former, secularized monastery, so it's worth checking locally about current access to the site before visiting.