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Public inauguration of the Reliquary Triptych at Monasterio De Piedra.
Monasterio de Piedra has created a copy of one of the most distinctive pieces of Gothic-Mudejar art, the Reliquary Triptych from Monasterio de Piedra. This beautiful and exceptional example of liturgical art, consisting of a central panel to hold holy relics, a cornice and two side panels, was commissioned by Abbot Martín Ponce in 1390 to hold a number of relics. The most important of these was the relic of the Eucharistic Miracle of Cimballa (when the Host miraculously began to bleed before a priest who had begun to doubt the transformation of Christ’s body and blood into bread and wine). It was donated to the Monastery by Martin the Humane, King of Aragon, while he was Duke of Montblanc. two and a half metres high and four metres wide, the intricate carpentry work is beautifully decorated with painted scenes in which golden colours predominate. The original has been at the Royal academy of History in Madrid since 1851.
It is extremely important that an exact reproduction of his work of art is on display here at Monasterio de Piedra in Aragon, as until now the general public have not been able to see it. From 19 April that will change.
This further adds to the wide range of cultural and leisure pursuits offered by the Monastery, and will form part of the guided tour of the 12th century Cistercian complex which includes a visit to the Wine Museum and the Carriage Museum and an exhibition of the history of chocolate. Visitors can also follow a route round the Natural Park, with its spectacular waterfalls, caves and lakes, its Freshwater Fauna Learning Centre and Demonstration of Birds of Prey.
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Reliquary Triptych at Monasterio de Piedra
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José Antonio Sánchez (DPZ), Javier Callizo (Vice President of Tourism DGA) and Antonio Carmona (Manager of Monasterio de Piedra
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Exhibition: “The History of Chocolate at Monasterio de Piedra”
From 18 October 2005, visitors to the historic buildings at Monasterio de Piedra will be able to see a series of forty panels detailing the history of chocolate, from its earliest origins right through to the present day. The exhibition’s inauguration ceremony in the Juan Federico Muntadas Room was attended by the Director of Tourism for the Government of Aragon, Benito Ros, the Montal family, the Manager of Monasterio de Piedra, Antonio Carmona Fernández, and a number of other local dignitaries, all of whom witnessed the unveiling of a plaque commemorating the contribution made both to this exhibition and to Aragonese gastronomy by Rafael Montal, who died recently.
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A further addition to the attractions of Monasterio de Piedra Natural Park this year has been the “Demonstration of Birds of Prey”, which has enjoyed great success with the public. School trips and individual families alike have been able to see both nocturnal and diurnal birds of prey, including owls, eagles and falcons, in action at very close quarters.
After the inauguration ceremony, aperitifs and a number of chocolate delicacies were served in the Library at Monasterio de Piedra, one of the buildings that formed part of the old 12th century Monastery.
This exhibition has been much awaited at Monasterio de Piedra, already famous for its natural park, since this was the first monastery in Europe at which chocolate was made. History recounts that a Cistercian monk who travelled with Hernán Cortés to Mexico, Brother Jeronimo of Aguilar, sent the first cocoa beans seen in Europe to the Abbot at Monasterio de Piedra, Antonio de Alvaro, along with a recipe for chocolate. The monks at the monastery were the first people in Europe to taste this delicacy, thus beginning a long tradition of chocolate-making in the Cistercian order.
The different panels explain all the aspects of chocolate making: the origin of the cocoa bean, the way it is transformed into chocolate, the different types, colours and flavours of the finished article, its social importance and a number of curious facts about this much-loved delicacy and its properties. The exhibition has drawn heavily on the skills and know-how of culinary artist Rafael Montal Montesa, whose help was vital in bringing new interest to the subject in his exhibition “food of the gods”.
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Representatives of the Government of Aragon, the Montal family and the management of Monasterio de Piedra
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Monasterio de Piedra extends its leisure programme with a demonstration of birds of prey.
In addition to the many attractions on offer at Monasterio de Piedra, including its natural park and spectacular waterfalls, its 12th century buildings, the hotel with its magnificent 16th century staircase and the Freshwater Fauna Learning Centre, this popular tourist destination is now offering a “Demonstration of Birds of Prey”, the first time such an activity has been seen in Aragon.
The demonstration includes a variety of diurnal and nocturnal species, including eagles, sparrow hawks, falcons, owls, etc., all of which can be seen in action at very close quarters. The demonstration is staged in the beautiful surroundings of the park three times a day, with birds displaying their flying skills both close to the ground and high above the audience.
This is an attractive and interactive educational demonstration, not only for the school groups that come each day to the park but also for families visiting Monasterio de Piedra. Our expert falconers offer visitors an explanation of the different varieties of birds of prey, their individual qualities, the differences between diurnal and nocturnal hunters, the different hunting styles and the main ways in which they are threatened.
This new exhibition is included in the price of entry to the Natural Park and is suitable for all ages. It is a new departure for Monasterio de Piedra and we are honoured to be involved with this project in Aragon.
Visit to Monasterio de Piedra by members of the BIE (Bureau International des Expositions) as Zaragoza is chosen to host Expo 2008.
"Water and sustainable development", what better slogan for the famous Monasterio de Piedra? On 4 May, after the heavy spring rains, six diplomats from the BIE were enchanted by the Park’s attractions. They first toured the 12th century Cistercian monastery, where they learned about monastic life, art and culture. They were fascinated by the Wine Museum and surprised to learn that this monastery was the first place in Europe to make chocolate. They then took a trip round the park, marvelling at the brimming waterfalls and the spring vegetation in all its splendour. They had lunch in the Hotel’s “Reyes de Aragón” Restaurant and then worked until late on the issue of the day: the plans for Expo 2008. After five long hours they finally took a break and went to their rooms, the old monks’ cells, to relax. They had seen at first hand that this small corner of Aragon provides a place where water and sustainable development come together, and that tourism is once again one of the essential driving forces behind the local economy. In short, a day to remember for the members of the BIE.
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