You could easily drive past this village never knowing that it is home to one of the jewels of the area, a 14th century monastery. Simat de la Valldigna, situated in the region of La Safor, in the province of Valencia, belongs to a valley called La Valldigna, a natural sub region rounded by the mountain range of Corbera on the north, Mondúver mountain on the south and it opens towards the east coast, where it extends to the sea.

On his way back from battling the Moors in Alicante and Murcia King James II rode through the Valle de Alfàndec, as it was then called,  and exclaimed that this was a “Vall Digna” (translated literally as “a worthy valley”) for a monastery.  In 1298 the land was granted to the Abbot of Santes Creus of the Cistercian order and building began.

In 1835 during the War of Independence and the expropriation of church property, the monastery was sold into private ownership, many of the buildings were destroyed and the blocks sold for other buildings; for example the old gothic arches of the Abbot’s cloisters now form part of a palace in Madrid.

In 1991 the Valencian Government began a restoration program  on the monastery.  The church itself has been renovated to maximum affect highlighting the mouldings and recreating the atmosphere with two lifelike statues of monks.

There is an information centre displaying the history of the area.

Opening times
From Monday to Sunday
From 15th June to 15th September:  From 10 a.m to 2p.m , and from 4 p.m to 8 p.m
From 16th September to 14th June:  From 9 a.m to 3 p.m and from 4 p.m to 6 p.m
Pre-arranged guided tours (groups): 962811636

Simat de la Valldigna is surrounded by mountains, beautiful landscapes and orange trees fields. In this village you can enjoy the village essence that today is preserved in the land and in the people.