The Palau Novella was originally built in 1890 as a colonial residence for Pere Domènech i Grau, a wealthy merchant who returned from Cuba.
The monastery was established in 1996 after the monks acquired the derelict palace and restored it to house their community.
The building features iconic modernist elements including decorative ironwork and stained glass, which now coexist with thangkas and statues.
The monastery follows the Sakya school of Tibetan Buddhism, one of the four main traditions of the religion.
The Garraf Natural Park, where the monastery is located, is characterized by its karst topography and extensive cave systems.
Sakya Tashi Ling is a Tibetan Buddhist monastery situated within the Palau Novella, a modernist 19th-century palace located in the Garraf Natural Park. The site serves as the headquarters for the Sakya Tashi Ling Foundation, established to preserve and teach Tibetan Buddhist philosophy and culture. The architecture blends Catalan Modernisme with traditional Himalayan aesthetic elements. The grounds include manicured gardens that overlook the rugged Mediterranean limestone landscape of the Garraf massif. Visitors can access historical rooms of the palace and view Buddhist ritual objects integrated into the preserved domestic spaces. The site functions as both a spiritual retreat and a cultural center hosting regular workshops and seminars. It is the first community of its kind to be established in Spain by Tibetan monks.
The terrace overlooking the valley from the main palace courtyard.
Wear sturdy walking shoes if you plan to explore the surrounding hiking trails in the Garraf Natural Park.
Bring layers, as the climate at the mountain elevation of the park can be significantly cooler and windier than on the coast.
Check the website calendar before traveling to see if there are public workshops or retreats that might restrict general visitor access.
Do not attempt to access the private areas of the monastery where resident monks and students are in meditation or study.
Open daily with limited access to specific palace rooms on certain days; guided tours may be required for full interior access.
Dress modestly as it is a place of worship; maintain a quiet voice throughout the palace interior.
