I seem to be bucking the trend here by awarding Poblet 4 stars but I really enjoyed my visit there. It's a very impressive 14th century Cistercian abbey, set among the rolling foothills of the Prades mountains.
I usually find an hour is plenty when visiting most cathedrals and abbeys but I happily spent half a day here exploring the various features.
Poblet Abbey or to give it its proper name, The Royal Abbey of Santa Maria de Poblet was founded in the 12th century by French Cistercian monks along with 2 other abbeys at Vallbona de les Monges and Santes Creus.
Although the building we see today reflects the splendour of the 14th century Gothic abbey, much of it is restored, the building having fallen into disrepair in the 19th century.
Of particular interest is the altar, dating from 1527, the cloisters and the tombs of the kings and queens of Aragon. It's also possible to walk on part of the roof (see picture) which I enjoyed immensely.