The monastery was founded in 1194 by Alfonso II of Aragon with monks brought from the Poblet Monastery.
The first chocolate in Europe was produced here by Cistercian monks in 1534 using cocoa brought from the Americas.
The park features the 'Baño de Diana,' a natural waterfall system that spills into a turquoise-colored lake.
The limestone terrain is highly porous, creating complex underground drainage systems that feed the surface waterfalls.
The park was declared a National Tourist Site in 1940.
The site includes a collection of over 20 distinct waterfalls within a 5-kilometer marked circuit.
Some of the grottoes in the park contain prehistoric archaeological deposits.
The Monasterio de Piedra is a historic 13th-century Cistercian monastery set within a karst landscape featuring a series of waterfalls and grottoes fed by the Piedra River. The park houses the Cascada Caprichosa, a waterfall that drops over 50 meters into the Pena del Diablo lake. Visitors explore a designated hiking trail that winds through lush botanical gardens and limestone rock formations. The site incorporates the historical monastery buildings, which include a cloister, a chapter room, and an ancient wine cellar. The unique microclimate created by the water flow allows for a diverse collection of mosses and riparian vegetation not common in the surrounding arid Aragon region. The park also hosts a specialized birds of prey flight demonstration center. It is situated in the Iberian System mountain range near the town of Nuévalos.
The elevated viewing platform overlooking the Cascada Caprichosa waterfall.
Wear sturdy, non-slip footwear as the paths near the waterfalls remain constantly wet and can be slippery.
Bring a light jacket, as the microclimate near the waterfalls is significantly cooler than the surrounding Spanish plateau.
Allocate extra time for the birds of prey exhibition, which is scheduled periodically throughout the day.
Attempting to swim in the lakes and waterfalls, as it is strictly prohibited for conservation and safety reasons.
Open year-round, but specific sections of the park or monastery may close during extreme weather or maintenance periods.
Stick to marked trails to protect the fragile moss ecosystems and do not disturb nesting birds.
