Location
Scala Dei is a hamlet added to la Morera that grew up in a secluded valley in the mountain range of Montsant, sheltered by the first monastery of Carthusian Order in the Iberian Peninsula: the Carthusian Charterhouse of Santa Maria de Scala Dei. The center, located in the lower part of the municipality, is crossed by the Riuet de Scala Dei.
Area: 1150 km2.
History
Scala Dei has its origin as a former Charterhouse of the Chartusian of Santa Maria of Scala Dei, which was founded in the 12th century in an incomparable landscape and which constitutes the origin of the historical Priorat. It seems that when the monks were looking for the most suitable place to build the monastery, entrusted by Alfons el Cast, they met a shepherd who told them that he often saw in his dreams angels who went up to heaven using stairs that leaned on the pine where he used to pasture his herd. The monks interpreted this as a sign from God and decided to build there a small cloister which would be the origin of the Carthusian Charterhouse of Scala Dei, which means “stairs of God”. The monks introduced the cultivation of vineyards in this area, and the Priorat of Scala Dei began to prosper more and more and so it got the name of the current Priorat, one of the areas with more personality of Catalonia.
Because of the decree of Ecclesiastical Confiscations of Mendizábal, in 1835, the monks were obliged to leave the monastery, which was left in ruins until 1998, when the autonomous government of Catalonia partially renovated the Carthusian Charterhouse and reopened it for tourists.
Feasts and customs
Scala Dei celebrates its Fiesta Mayor on the 24th of September: la Mercè, and also the next weekend. This village also celebrates an annual wine sample and tasting of local wines, and also of “vin blanc” (a local sweet wine).
Places of interest
The Charterhouse of Scala Dei is declared of National Interest in the category of monument. The view to the Charterhouse allows knowing one of the most important monasteries of the medieval Catalonia. It represents a rapprochement to the world and the life of the ancient Chartusian and to their charisma, showing a new interpretation of life and inviting to give a special value to nature, one of the most valuable treasures that the humanity currently has.
