13 Jun Poblet Monastery – Catalonia, Spain

During the last months the work at the Poblet case study (Catalonia, Spain) has been progressing smoothly, not only regarding the diagnose and recommendations, but for the implementation of some agreed actions.  Successive meetings with the Board authorities, the managers of the Protected Area, and the responsible for the environmental education facilities, have opened new fields for cooperation with the Abbey of Poblet. An agreement between the monastery and the Diputació de Tarragona (provincial government) has been drafted for preparing an environmental audit for the Monastery, which will combine the local agenda 21 methodology with the Cistercian principles. In addition, it has been agreed that a proposal for improving the integration of the spiritual, cultural and natural values of Poblet will be prepared by Silene Association.  It will include a draft plan for a new interpretation centre at the entrance of the Monastery, which is receiving over 150.000 visitors per year.