A monastery was founded during the 9th Century in Sant Joan de les Abadesses by Guifre El Pelos as a gift for his daughter Emma who was the first abbess. The present !2th Century church has a magnificent 13th Century polychrome wooden sculpture of the Descent from the Cross. Also of interest is the fine Gothic retablo of Sant Maria la Blanca. There are beautful Gothic cloisters and in the museum are Baroque and Renaissance altarpieces.
