Valldemossa Charterhouse facts for kids
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The Valldemossa Charterhouse is a famous old building in Valldemossa, Mallorca. It was once a royal palace for King Sancho of Majorca. Later, it became a monastery for Carthusian monks. This beautiful place has a long history, going back to the 14th century.
Contents
History of the Charterhouse
From Palace to Monastery
The story of the Valldemossa Charterhouse began with King James II of Majorca. He chose this amazing spot in the Sierra de Tramuntana mountains. It's over 400 meters high! The king built a palace here for his son, Sancho. People called it the "Palace of King Sancho."
Later, in 1399, King Martin of Aragon gave all the royal lands in Valldemossa to the Carthusian monks. These monks then turned the palace into a monastery.
Important People and Buildings
A special person, Saint Catherine of Palma, was born at the monastery in 1533. She is now one of the patron saints of Mallorca.
The main church building is very grand. It started being built in 1751. It has a beautiful style called neoclassical. Many talented artists and builders worked on it. Inside, you can see twelve oil paintings by a Carthusian painter named Joaquim Juncosa. These paintings show the Mysteries of the Rosary.
The monastery has many interesting parts. There's a cloister, which is an open area surrounded by covered walkways. This is one of the oldest parts of the building. You can also see the old pharmacy where the monks made medicines. The "Prioral Cell" shows how the monks lived. It includes their chapel, library, and sleeping area. These areas keep the history of the Carthusian monks alive.
Changes Over Time
The monks lived in the Charterhouse until 1835. At that time, the government took over many church properties in Spain. This meant the monks had to leave. The Charterhouse then became private property.
After the monks left, people could rent out individual rooms, called cells. In the winter of 1838-1839, a famous composer named Frédéric Chopin and a writer named George Sand stayed here. They rented a cell with three large rooms and a garden.
While staying there, Chopin finished some of his famous music. This included his Preludes Op. 28. He also wrote his Ballade No. 2 and Scherzo No. 3. After they left, George Sand wrote a book about their time there called A Winter in Majorca.
Today, the cell where Chopin stayed is a museum. You can see Chopin's Pleyel piano there. The museum also has documents, paintings, and other items from their visit.
See also
In Spanish: Cartuja de Valldemosa para niños
- List of music museums
