The Monastery of Santa María de Jerusalén in Barcelona has been awarded a Solete from the Repsol Guide, a distinction that for the first time recognizes the work of Spanish convents in the preservation of artisanal confectionery.
The Poor Clare nuns of this historic center have been selected for the quality of their “Jerusalem Delights”, in a special edition of the guide focused on the Christmas holidays.
The gastronomic guide has awarded a total of 27 convents spread over 11 autonomous communities, belonging to 12 different religious congregations.
The aim of the award is to highlight the silent work of the monastic bakeries and “raise to gastronomic category” some sweets that have a strong popular roots in Spain, but that, traditionally, had been left out of the circuits of culinary criticism.
Where you can buy the sweets of the Monastery of Santa María de Jerusalén
This institution with more than five centuries of history in the Catalan capital sells its sweets both in the convent itself, on the lathe, and over the Internet. Originally founded in 1453 as a monastery of Franciscan tertiaries and later incorporated into the order of Santa Clara at the end of the 15th century, the convent has kept alive the tradition of cloistered cuisine throughout this time.
If you visit, the convent is characterized at this time of year by “perfuming the convent with the scent of sugar from its lollipops, almond and pistachio from its rocks and chocolate from its joys”.
The sisters make a variety of products such as Dulce de Almendra, Pastas de nata, Corazones and their famous “Alegrías de Jerusalén” and “Alegrías Blancas”.
For the Christmas season, the workshop also sells typical sweets such as nougat, panallets, empiñonados and mantecados, but by order.
The convent is located in Passatge Mare de Déu de l’Estrella, and is open from Monday to Sunday from 9:00 to 13:30 and from 15:00 to 17:00 for the sale of sweets.