La granja de Zaragocilla y su relación con el Monasterio de Piedra

Abstract

The Royal Cistercian Monastery of Santa Maria de Piedra was founded in 1195 by monks coming from the Monastery of Poblet leaded by the abbot Gaufredo of Rocaberti. From the very beginning, a series of farms and agricultural developments, such as Zaragocilla, were established around the monastery where the lay converted brothers carried out the various field works. Zaragocilla fields were donated by Pedro Muñoz Zaragocilla on the 23rd November 1220. Since then, a good amount of vineyards were cultivated in Zaragocilla whose activity was devoted to massive wine production. The monks tried to repopulate the place in 1262 but they had to agree on just building up a farm. Nowadays some remains from the XIII century, such as a series of diaphragm arches, a pond and various water pipes, have been identified. The existence of a chapel dedicated to Saint Michael is well documented.