The Buddhist Monastery of Garraf, also known as Sakya Tashi Ling (‘island of good omens’), is one of the most unique spiritual jewels in Catalonia. Located in the heart of the Garraf Natural Park, just a few kilometres from Barcelona, this monastery was the first of its kind in Catalonia, and is set in a peaceful and serene environment that invites meditation. Opened in the 1990s in a former Art Nouveau palace, the monastery fuses Tibetan Buddhist tradition with Catalan architectural beauty.
Surrounded by mountains and nature, the monastery offers a unique experience for those seeking a space for disconnection and reflection. The monastic community of Sakya Tashi Ling follows the Sakya lineage, one of the four great schools of Tibetan Buddhism, and in this space the teachings of this tradition are preserved and transmitted.
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History of its location: the Palau Novella
The Buddhist Monastery of Garraf is located in the historic Palau Novella, a fascinating modernist-style building in the heart of the Garraf Natural Park, in Plana Novella, in the municipality of Olivella. This building was built in 1890, after being declared an agricultural colony by King Alfonso XII.
Its owners, the Indianos Pere Domènech i Grau and his wife Maria de Vilanova, converted it into a palace surrounded by fields of crops. Unfortunately, six years later it was affected by the phylloxera plague and auctioned off, until the Sakya Tashi Ling community was founded in 1996.
The Palau Novella, built by the Catalan architect Manuel Comas i Thos, stands out for its architectural design, which follows the modernist trends of the time. It is worth noting that the palace is surrounded by a fort with a high wall.
Some of the most outstanding spaces are the courtyard of the lemon trees, where you can find a Gaudí washhouse, as well as the neo-Arabic hall, the chapel and the cellars, among others.
In addition to its aesthetic value, this eclectic building reflects the importance of Art Nouveau architecture in Catalonia at the time, which sought to fuse art and functionality in both urban and rural spaces. Today, the Palau is not only a Buddhist monastery, but also a space that combines history and spirituality.
Discover the Buddhist Monastery of Garraf
The acquisition of the Palau Novella by the Sakya Tashi Ling Buddhist community was an important milestone in the history of this building. In 1996, the Yogi and Master Vajra Jamyang Tashi Dorje Rinpoché, born in Barcelona in 1951, founded and established the first Buddhist monastery in Catalonia, the Monastery of Garraf.
This community, which follows the Sakya tradition of Vajrayana Buddhism, is known for its focus on meditation and spiritual practice. Under the guidance of Rinpoché, and recognised by His Holiness the Sakya Trichen, the community chose Palau Novella for its secluded location and natural surroundings, making it a perfect place for retreat and introspection.
The Sakya Tashi Ling Buddhist community, composed of meditators and practitioners of traditional Buddhism, restored the building and adapted it to its new function as a monastery. With this acquisition, the Palau Novella was not only saved from neglect, but transformed into a space of spirituality, where modernist architecture and Buddhist philosophy come together in harmony. Since then, the monastery has served as a centre for meditation and teaching, offering a haven for those seeking inner peace in a setting of great beauty.
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Experiences
The Buddhist Monastery of Garraf offers various experiences that allow visitors to immerse themselves in the spiritual and cultural environment of Tibetan Buddhism.
One of the main activities is the meditation retreats, designed to disconnect from daily stress, deepen meditation practice and develop inner peace.
These retreats can last several days and include sessions led by experienced monks who teach techniques to improve mental well-being.
Another highlight is a guided tour of the monastery, where you can explore the Palau Novella, learn about the history of the building and gain an in-depth understanding of the teachings of Sakya Buddhism.
During these tours, life at the monastery and the fundamentals of Buddhist philosophy are explained, offering an enriching insight for both newcomers to Buddhism and those seeking to deepen their knowledge.
The monastery also organises meditation workshops, which teach how to apply techniques for personal growth, as well as a training cycle for meditators, with face-to-face and online sessions.
Finally, this monastery’s mission is to recover and reinterpret the Plana Novella Agricultural Colony, dating from the end of the 19th century. This is why it offers visitors a Gastronomic Menu with dishes prepared using traditional techniques, such as, for example, roast chicken with sultanas and potatoes au gratin; homemade pasties; its croquettes; and Boulgur with vegetables, heura and Teriyaki sauce, a typical dish from Asia and the Middle East.
In short, the Buddhist Monastery of Garraf offers a wide range of activities ranging from introspective retreats to cultural visits, all designed to bring visitors closer to Buddhist philosophy and offer them tools for emotional and spiritual well-being. Don’t hesitate and travel to Barcelona and surroundings with Shuttle2Sun‘s low-cost and sustainable shared transfer services and private transfer services from Barcelona Airport, Barcelona Port, Reus Airport, Girona Airport and Camp de Tarragona AVE train station. Remember that you can book your transfer up to 24 hours in advance.
