Monasterio de Piedra, an idyllic place to escape to

As you may already know, I like getting out of the city from time to time. Last week I wrote a post about the orange-colored cliffs at El Barranco de la Hoz, and today I’d like to introduce you to another place that may be unknown to you. Built in the 12th century, Monasterio de Piedra (Stone Monastery) is situated in a natural park in Zaragoza (a province northeast of Madrid), which is inundated by misty waterfalls, rivers and streams that give you goosebumps.

Our visit to Monasterio de Piedra started a few weeks ago, when my friends and I were preparing a two-day trip outside the city. When one of my friends suggested we go here, I stared at him with a puzzled look on my face.  If we’re going to pay 15€, it better be good. Actually, it better be incredible, I thought. Let’s see what happens…

As soon as we entered the park, we walked down a bunch of steps and came across the first wow in our path. The Wilful Waterfall (in Spanish, “La cascada Caprichosa) stood in front of us. As you look up at the cascading giant,  you see many different types of green and hear the sound of the water crashing into the river and continuing on its way. Although there were several other groups of visitors at the site, it never felt crowded.

The “Río Piedra” (Stone river) is guilty of having formed this spectacular landscape of waterfalls and cozy natural spots.

As we moved along the río piedra and stumbled upon a few more wows, we eventually got close up to the tallest waterfall in Spain: “La cola del caballo” (or, in English, the horse tail waterfall). It’s an incredible 50m fall which makes you feel fear, awe and calmness, in that order.

We saw the “Cascada” from every angle. The most impressive moment was being behind it, inside the cave, feeling the strength of the water falling in your face.

Although we only walked through the park, Monasterio de Piedra also has a magnificent hotel that boasts a spa and two restaurants, fit for weddings and banquets of all kinds. Not to mention, the Monastery itself is open to the public.

Where:

Nuévalos (Zaragoza)

229 kilometres from Madrid

Website:

www.monasteriopiedra.com

How to get there from Madrid