Silentia

About the location

Listen to what only silence can say. An immersive night-time experience. When the noise of the world deafens us, when the rush of life speeds us up, blinding us to what really matters, SILENTIA arrives. A pause in the desert of our lives, an oasis that opens our ears to what truly matters.

SILENTIA: The Constructed Desert. Exclusive tours are limited to Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and public holidays throughout the year (closed to the public in the evenings on Sundays). As the experience takes place in an active place of worship and requires darkness for the video mapping, the timings are aligned with the solar cycle and the monument’s liturgical celebrations. We recommend checking availability and exact time slots on our official booking calendar before planning your visit.

The Carthusian Order: The Charism of SOLITUDE AND SILENCE

The Carthusian Order was founded in the 11th century, when Bruno of Cologne was called by God to establish a new way of understanding monastic life. The charism received by Saint Bruno was that of one who sought to combine the solitary life of the hermit with the communal life of the cenobite. Under the patronage of Saint Hugh of Grenoble, these monks began their venture on the Mount of the Carthusians, transforming the monastery into a ‘built desert’ where each cell functions like a cave.

The life of a Carthusian monk is truly austere and strict. Total silence pervades their daily lives, interrupted only during communal prayer. In this environment, words give way to service; there is no conversation amongst them, their diet contains no meat, and fasting is a constant feature. The monastery’s layout is almost labyrinthine, designed to facilitate movement without intruding on others’ solitude. For them, simplicity and moderation are a hymn of praise, in keeping with the motto on their coat of arms: “The cross remains whilst the world turns.”

SILENTIA: A Sensory and Immersive Experience

This project aims to create an immersive experience that allows us to step inside the monastery walls and, for a few moments, share the daily life of a real monk. SILENTIA takes us into his WORLD, allowing us to experience their history, their way of praying, how they face death and how they find joy in giving their lives. It is an immersion in Carthusian spirituality that stirs the heart.

SILENTIA is the integration of cutting-edge digital technologies into a space dominated by sensitivity MEDIEVAL (The Age of the Monasteries), built during the Modern period (16th–18th centuries). Unlike a standard tour, this tour uses video mapping, conceptual installations and theatrical lighting to guide visitors’ gaze, creating a visual narrative through the use and intensity of light.

Eight Spaces, Eight Silences

The comprehensive tour of the surviving parts of the Monastery of La Cartuja in Granada is divided into eight pivotal moments, designed to offer ‘thunderous silences’ to the visitor’s heart:

Desired and chosen silences: The beginning of introspection in the monastic setting.

The Silence of Everyday Life: Immersion in the life of the cell and the routine of prayer.

Community Life: Moving through shared spaces such as the Claustrillo or the Refectory.

The Silence of Transit: A profound installation in the PROFUNDIS Gallery, inviting reflection on the transience of life.

The Silence of Stone and History: Where the architecture of the church and the sacristy interact with the light.

Man and Charisma: A moment to understand the spiritual dialogue between Saint Bruno, Christ and Mary.

The Silence of Prayer and Triumph: The culmination of the experience in the Tabernacle, where beauty gives glory to God.

Silence and Solitude: The conclusion of a voluntary retreat in search of authenticity and true life.

SILENTIA It is committed to digital transformation whilst always respecting the historic building and its spiritual essence. It is a unique opportunity to discover how, from medieval Europe to the present day, the longing for solitude can be reconciled with the need for community.

You can now buy your ticket for SILENTIA online via the Archdiocese of Granada’s official ticketing website. Book your place today for this unforgettable experience and listen to what only silence can say.

Further information at: https://ticketsgranadacristiana.com/es/monumentos/silentia/

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