The Royal Carthusian Monastery (Real Cartuja), Valldemossa
Where Chopin spent an infamous winter, and home to classical music concerts
Visit the monastery at Valldemossa, where Chopin and George Sand spent the winter of 1838-9. The Real Cartuja (Royal Carthusian Monastery) was originally a royal residence, until Carthusian monks occupied the building from 1399 until 1835.
The origins of the cartuja date back to the time of king Jaume II, who chose this spot to build a palace for his son Sancho. In 1399, it was donated to Carthusian monks.
It has white-arched corridors leading to 'cells' containing museums on various themes. Visit the old pharmacy - you can almost smell the herbs - then look into the library, where the monks would meet for half an hour a week, their only human contact. There is a fine modern art museum, with works by Picasso, Miro and Juli Ramis, and of course there is Chopin's cell...
Read about our Trip to the Ral Cartuja.
When to come
Opening hours are as follows (ticket office closes 30 minutes earlier):
- January & December - 09:30 to 15:30
- February & November - 09:30 to 17:30
- March & October - 09:30 to 18:00
- April to September - 09:30 to 19:00
Sundays only 10:00 to 13:00. Closed on January 1st, December 25th and Sundays in January and December.
How to get passes
Tickets cost 8.50€, with reduced fares for students (6€), seniors (7€), groups over 4 persons (7.50€) and children 10 to 14 years old (4€). They can be booked online.
